11-33. THE INTERNAL EAR
a. Labyrinths (Figure 11-13).
Figure 11-13. The labyrinths of the internal ear.
(1) Bony labyrinth. The bony labyrinth (LABYRINTH = a maze) is a complex
cavity within the temporal bone. It has three semicircular canals, a vestibule (hallway),
and a snail-shaped cochlear portion.
(2) Membranous labyrinth. The membranous labyrinth is a hollow tubular
structure suspended within the bony labyrinth.
b. Fluids of the Internal Ear. The endolymph is a fluid filling the space within
the membranous labyrinth. The perilymph is a fluid filling the space between the
membranous labyrinth and the bony labyrinth. These fluids are continuously formed
and drained away.
ENDO = within
PERI = around
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