Endolymphatic Na+ and K+ Concentrations during Cochlear Growth and Enlargement in Mice Lacking Slc26a4/pendrin
Figure 1
Schematic diagrams of the inner ear and of experimental configurations.
A) Diagram of the bone-enclosed inner ear consisting of the cochlea, the vestibular labyrinth and the endolymphatic duct and sac. Note, that scala media of the cochlea is accessible via the round window and that the endolymphatic sac is the only structure not enclosed in bone. B–E) Experimental configurations for the measurement of voltages and of Na+ and K+ concentrations. Voltage electrodes were used to record the voltage (V) and ion-selective electrodes, which were filled at the tip with liquid ion exchanger, recorded a signal that consisted of the sum of the voltage (V) and the ion-voltage (VK+ or VNa+). B) Configuration for in situ measurements of voltage and K+ concentrations in the cochlea. C–E) Configuration for in vitro measurements. Temporal bones were isolated and superfused in a bath chamber that was outfitted with an inflow and a suction outlet. C) Configuration for in vitro measurements of voltage and K+ concentrations in the cochlea. D) Configuration for in vitro measurements of voltage and K+ concentrations in the endolymphatic sac. E) Configuration for in vitro measurements of Na+ and K+ concentrations in the cochlea.