title: Histology of the cochlear vessels in the guinea pig.
abstract: Normal adult guinea pigs were studied in phase contrast microscopy. Perivascular spaces were clearly more common in vessels facing perilymph than in vessels facing endolymph. The so-called "avascular channels" which have been suggested to signify a degenerative phenomenon were found in some inner ear vessels in the normal animal. These sections of vessels, lacking blood cells, may constitute a normal vessel, subjected to plasma skimming. Small openings were found on some of these "avascular channels". Both perivascular spaces and "avascular channels" appear to be a part of the fluid transport system in the cochlea.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003051:Cochlea / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004710:Endolymph; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D010498:Perilymph