Conduction of thermal stimuli in the human temporal bone

Summary

Temperature changes at different locations in the labyrinth were measured in human temporal bone preparations after syringing with water. In order to simulate physiological conditions, the preparations were placed in a water bath at 37°C. The maximum temperature changes in the horizontal semicircular canal after syringing with temperatures symmetrical to body temperature (44° or 30°C) were found to be clearly asymmetrical (with mean values of 0.6 and −0.3 K). From measurements in the external auditory meatus, findings showed that the reference temperature was 34°C in front of the tympanic membrane, which explains the asymmetry recorded. Measurements at different locations showed that the temperature first changes in the regions of the ampullae of the horizontal and the superior semicircular canals. In the vestibule the onset and decay of the temperature change is delayed. The time courses of the temperature difference between locations demonstrate that the temperature difference across the horizontal semicircular canal, which would be responsible for any convective effect in the endolymph, is of shorter duration than the absolute temperature change, which would be responsible for any temperature-mediated volume changes.