The vascularization of the human cochlea: its historical background

Abstract

The history of vascularization of the human cochlea began with the first anatomical description of the cochlea in the 16th century. Three different periods are recognizable in the development of knowledge concerning this subject: the macroscopic period, with the description of the structure of the cochlea from the 16th to the 19th century; the microscopic period, with the description of the part of the organ of Corti in the 19th century; and the injection period, with the description of the fine vascularization of the cochlea in the 20th century. Various techniques were used during these three periods, which will be presented here, using only original references. This historical study reveals the ingenuity of the researchers in using different aspects of technological progress to enhance their performance in research.

Gross anatomy and arterial vascularization of the tympanic cavity and osseous labyrinth in mid‐gestational bovine fetuses

“…After labyrinthine artery gave off anterior vestibular artery, it was continued as a cochlear artery and divided into spiral modiolar artery and posterior vestibular artery. This type of branching is the same as the one reported for rats by Lyon and Payman (2000) and compatible with the ones determined for humans by Mom et al (2005), Santi and Mancini (1998), Matsunaga et al (1991), and Mudry and Tange (2009). In fact, common cochlear artery was reported to give off vestibulocochlear artery, which is the common trunk of cochlear (ramus cochlearis) and vestibular (posterior vestibular artery) branches instead of posterior vestibular artery.…”

Sudden onset hearing and visual loss: An unusual presenting manifestation of chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia

“…Further, high oxygen consumption by leukemic cells competes for this precious resource in the microcirculation contributing to local tissue hypoxia and infarction. Even temporary stasis can cause irreversible damage to the delicate neuronal and vascular structures of the inner ear [20]. Moreover, the cochlea does not have its redundant blood supply and even brief periods of ischemia could lead to hearing loss [20].…”

Physiopathology of the cochlear microcirculation

“…Two distinct capillary networks in the spiral ligament and stria vascularis are apparent in the lateral wall. The networks parallel each other without cross connections [image adapted from (Mudry et al, 2009)]. V/SL : vessels of the spiral ligament; V/SV : vessels of the stria vascularis.…”