To observe the three-dimentional ultrastructure of the cochlear vasculature, the corrosion casts of the cochlear vessels were examined in scanning electron microscope. A commercial resin (Mercox) was injected to the ascending aorta of a human and twelve guinea pigs after complete perfusion with the clot disperser solution. The temporal bone was removed and macerated in 20% sodium hydroxide solution. After cleaned in 5% trichloroacetic acid solution and coated with gold, the casts were observed in HITACHI S-450.
In the human, the cochlear branch of the vestibulo-cochlear artery, the spiral modiolar artery, the anastomosis of these two vessels and their ramifications were observed but the radiating arterioles were not visible in the present material. On the other hand, in the three guinea pigs out of twelve, the spring coil like structure of the radiating arterioles and the networks of the vessels of the stria vascularis were clearly observed. The present observations of the corrosion casts of the cochlea revealed further details of the three-dimentional relationships of the cochlear vasculature.
