The helicotrema is the small opening at the apex of the cochlea where the scala vestibuli and scala tympani meet. It lies beyond the blind upper end of the cochlear duct. Perilymph can flow freely between the two scalae through it.
| Location | Apex of the cochlea |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | None of note |
| Blood Supply | Terminal cochlear branches of the labyrinthine artery |
Connects the two perilymph channels at the cochlear apex and balances slow pressure changes between them.
The helicotrema equalises very slow pressure changes between the scalae, which reduces the cochlea's response to infrasound. Its size can influence low-frequency hearing. It is mainly of importance in understanding cochlear mechanics rather than as a site of disease.
Congenital abnormalities of the cochlear apex can alter the helicotrema along with the rest of the coil and are associated with sensorineural hearing loss.
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