Vein of the vestibular aqueduct in the gerbil.

The vein of the vestibular aqueduct in the gerbil runs along the lateral side of the endolymphatic duct, deviates from this course to enter the middle ear cavity, and connects with the lateral sinus. In 20 animals, the vein of the vestibular aqueduct was obliterated by drilling from the middle ear side. Histopathology of these specimens after 2 months' survival revealed consistent sensory cell atrophy in the posterior canal cristae, frequent loss of sensory cells in a small superior portion of the macula sacculi and in the basal end of the cochlea, and fibrosis and osteogenesis in the three semicircular canals. The endolymphatic sacs contained colloidal substances in some specimens which were otherwise normal. Endolymphatic hydrops was absent except in some specimens which showed additional surgical damage to the endolymphatic sac and canals. The blocked vein re-opened occasionally and connected with the vessel formed in new bone from which it attached to the lateral sinus. The sensory cell degeneration and canal fibrosis reflects the pattern of blood drainage by the vein of the vestibular aqueduct. Vascular disorder in the vestibular labyrinth initiates vestibular symptoms; however, it will not produce endolymphatic hydrops unless function of the endolymphatic sac is impaired.