Fluid flow in the cochlear aqueduct and cochlea-hydrodynamic considerations in perilymph fistula, stapes gusher, and secondary endolymphatic hydrops.

There is convincing evidence that the cochlear aqueduct is normally patent in humans and is of relatively constant size. It probably plays an important role in the balance between the perilymphatic, endolymphatic, and cerebrospinal fluid pressures. The flow rate of liquids through tubes is a linear function of pressure, viscosity, and length of the tube but is a fourth degree power function of the radius of the lumen. For this reason, the radius is the most critical factor determining the flow rate. Small variations in size of the cochlear aqueduct can cause very large variations in flow rate through it.