Abstract
Capillaries entering and leaving the stria vascularis were surrounded by layers of basal cells and fibrocytes. Between entering and leaving, the layers changed. Although entering capillaries were surrounded by one or two thin basal cells, leaving capillaries were surrounded by four or five thicker and interdigitated basal cell layers. Moreover the layers surrounding the leaving capillaries persisted further into the spiral ligament.
Leakage of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) out of the capillary was observed before entering and after leaving the stria vascularis. Although the reaction product of HRP was observed in all perivascular spaces of leaving capillaries, a very weak or no reaction product was observed around some entering capillaries. Blood sludging and no plasma space was observed in all leaving capillaries, but plasma space could be observed in some entering capillaries. It is speculated that the layers of basal cells and fibrocytes around entering and leaving capillaries control the vascular flow out of stria vascularis.
