Reissner's membrane

Reissner's membrane
Diagrammatic longitudinal section of the cochlea. (label is 'vestibular membrane')
Cross section of the cochlea.
Latin	paries vestibularis ductus cochlearis
Gray's	subject #232 1054

Reissner's membrane (vestibular membrane, vestibular wall) is a membrane inside the cochlea of the inner ear. It separates scala media from scala vestibuli. Together with the basilar membrane it creates a compartment in the cochlea filled with endolymph, which is important for the function of the organ of Corti. It primarily functions as a diffusion barrier, allowing nutrients to travel from the perilymph to the endolymph of the membranous labyrinth.

Histologically, the membrane is composed of two layers of flattened epithelium, separated by a basal lamina. Its structure suggests that its function is transport of fluid and electrolytes.

Reissner's membrane is named after German anatomist Ernst Reissner (1824-1878).

Additional images

Transverse section of the cochlear duct of a fetal cat.

Floor of ductus cochlearis.

Limbus laminæ spiralis and membrana basilaris.

External links

• vestibular+membrane at eMedicine Dictionary
• Histology at KUMC eye_ear-ear03
• UIUC Histology Subject 76
• Powerpoint at University of Toronto
• Overview at University of Wisconsin–Madison
• description at University of Texas
• Image at University of New England, Maine