EFFECT OF CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID PRESSURE ON PERILYMPHATIC FLOW IN THE OPENED COCHLEA

Scala tympani of guinea pigs was perfused with elevated potassium solutions whose concentrations were measured with ion-sensitive pipettes. It was noted that, upon spontaneous recovery, the concentration curve showed a 'break' approximately 3 min after perfusion ceased. When the CSF pressure was released by opening the cisterna magna, cochlear flow was markedly reduced, and the recovery curve became smoothly exponential, following a much slower return to control levels. This finding lends support to the idea proposed by Moscovitch, Gannon &Laszlo (1973) that longitudinal flow of CSF contributes to perilymph efflux in the patent cochlea. © 1979 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.