The vestibular membrane, also called Reissner membrane, is a very thin, two-cell-layer sheet forming the roof of the cochlear duct. It separates the endolymph of the cochlear duct from the perilymph of the scala vestibuli. It is flexible enough to pass sound vibrations through with little loss.
| Location | Roof of the cochlear duct, between it and the scala vestibuli |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | None |
| Blood Supply | None; nourished by surrounding fluids |
Separates endolymph from perilymph while allowing sound-driven pressure changes to pass into the cochlear duct.
The membrane acts as a diffusion barrier that keeps the two inner ear fluids apart. In endolymphatic hydrops it bulges into the scala vestibuli, and ruptures may let the fluids mix, which is thought to contribute to attacks in Meniere disease.
Bulging of the membrane from excess endolymph in hydrops, a hallmark finding of Meniere disease on histology.
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