[The endolymphatic sac: its roles in the inner ear].
The endolymphatic sac is a non-sensory organ of the inner ear. It is connected to the endolymphatic compartment that is filled with endolymph, a potassium-rich fluid that bathes the apical side of inner ear sensory cells. The main functions ascribed to the endolymphatic sac are the regulation of the volume and pressure of endolymph, the immune response of the inner ear, and the elimination of endolymphatic waste products by phagocytosis. Functional alteration of these functions, leading to deficient endolymph homeostasis and/or altered inner ear immune response, may participate to the pathophysiology of Ménière's disease, an inner ear pathology that causes episodes of vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, and is characterized by an increase in volume of the cochleo-vestibular endolymph (endolymphatic hydrops).
Couloigner
Vincent
V
Inserm U.426 et EMI-U 0112, et Service d'ORL pédiatrique, Hôpital Robert Debré, 48, boulevard Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France.
Teixeira
Marie
M
Sterkers
Olivier
O
Rask-Andersen
Helge
H
Ferrary
Evelyne
E
D004710:Endolymph / Q000737:chemistry; D004712:Endolymphatic Sac / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000503:physiopathology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D011312:Pressure; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000503:physiopathology