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AnatomyHead and neckEarCochlear duct
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AnatomyHead and neckEarCochlear duct

Cochlear duct

Author: Edwin Ocran, MBChB, MSc • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: March 27, 2024
Reading time: 2 minutes

Recommended video: Labyrinth [16:40]
Overview of the bony and membranous structures of the labyrinth.
Cochlear duct
Ductus cochlearis
1/3
Synonyms: Scala media, Cochlear labyrinth

The cochlear duct, also called the scala media, is a triangular-shaped, centrally positioned, membranous spiral tube within the bony labyrinth of the cochlea. It is attached to the lamina of the modiolus, a thin extension of the central bony core (modiolus) of the cochlea, and to the peripheral wall of the cochlea via a thickened periosteum called the spiral ligament. 

The cochlear duct divides the cochlea into two perilymph filled canals: an upper scala vestibuli (vestibular duct), and a lower scala tympani (tympanic duct). Its roof is formed by the vestibular membrane and its floor by the basilar membrane. These membranes separate the endolymph in the cochlear duct from the perilymph in the scala vestibuli and the scala tympani.

The spiral organ, the organ of hearing, sits on the basilar membrane and projects into the cochlear duct. It is composed of hair cells which extend their stereocilia into an overlying gelatinous tectorial membrane. Movement of the basilar membrane induced by pressure waves in the perilymph result in distortion of stereocilia and stimulation of the cochlear branch of vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII).

Terminology English: Cochlear duct
Synonym: Scala media, cochlear labyrinth

Latin: Ductus cochlearis
Definition Membranous spiral tube that runs within the bony cochlea
Function Conversion sound waves into electrical signals via the spiral organ

Learn more about the cochlea duct of the anatomy of the inner ear in the following study unit:

Internal ear Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Drake, R., Vogl, W., Mitchell, A. & Gray, H. (2015). Gray's anatomy for students. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
  • McKinley, M. & Loughlin, V. (2012). Human anatomy. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone

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