The aims of this study are to demonstrate the presence of a pressure equalizing system between the inner ear fluids (perilymph and endolymph) and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the roles of the cochlear aqueduct (CA) and endolymphatic duct (ED) in that system.
The following conclusions are drawn from the measurement of perilymphatic and CSF pressures in cats.
1. After obstruction of the CA, perilymphatic and CSF pressures are identical and interdependent, indicating that they are transmitted by a route other than the CA.
2. After obstruction of both the CA and ED, the perilymphatic pressure becomes independent of the CSF pressure.
3. The respiratory variations in the CSF pressure are partially transmitted to the perilymph after obstruction of the CA and are further reduced when the ED is also occluded.
4. Artificially increased CSF pressure is transmitted to the perilymph without attenuation in normal cats. However, this transmission is markedly reduced when the CA is obstructed. This indicates that there is a limit to the transmission of variations of CSF pressure through the ED. This conclusion raises the question whether equalization of the pressures of the perilymph and endolymph in the presence of abnormal variations in the CSF pressure is possible.
5. After the administration of 30% urea (1g/kg) to cats with patent CAs, the perilymphatic and CSF pressures behaved identically. This suggests that a direct osmotic effect of urea on the perilymphatic pressure cannot be determined if the CA is patent.
6. After the administration of urea to cats with obstructed CAs, the perilymphatic and CSF pressures behaved differently. The fact that the perilymphatic perssure is lower than the CSF pressure, particularly during the first 45 minutes, shows the direct osmotic effect of urea on the perilymphatic pressure.
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