The endolymphatic duct arises from the junction of ducts from the utricle and saccule and passes through the vestibular aqueduct of the temporal bone. It ends as the endolymphatic sac, which lies partly within the bone and partly between layers of dura on the back of the petrous bone. It helps regulate endolymph volume and has immune functions.
| Location | Vestibular aqueduct and posterior surface of the petrous temporal bone |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | None of note |
| Blood Supply | Small meningeal branches supplying the dura over the petrous bone (sac) |
Absorbs and regulates endolymph volume and pressure and removes debris from the inner ear.
Poor endolymph absorption by the sac is thought to contribute to endolymphatic hydrops in Meniere disease, and endolymphatic sac surgery is one treatment option. An enlarged vestibular aqueduct is the most common inner ear malformation seen on imaging in children with hearing loss and is linked to SLC26A4 (Pendred syndrome) mutations. Endolymphatic sac tumours occur in von Hippel-Lindau disease.
A widened bony channel for the endolymphatic duct, causing fluctuating or progressive hearing loss that can worsen after minor head trauma.
A rare, locally destructive papillary tumour of the sac, associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease, causing hearing loss and tinnitus.
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