[Permeability barriers of the inner ear. Fine structure and function].

Abstract

This paper summarizes the own electronmicroscopic studies on the inner ear fine structure (guinea pig) with the peroxidase tracer technique and mainly with the freeze-etch-technique. New findings are presented concerning the blood-perilymph-barrier, perilymph-endolymph-barrier as well as cell membrane differentiations of the stria vacularis cells and the sensory epithelia. The physiological and pathophysiological meaning is discussed in detail.