Bone lining cells of the mammalian cochlea

Abstract

It is generally believed that all bone surfaces are covered by a nearly continuous layer of cells known as bone lining cells (BLC) which separate the general extracellular fluid (GECF) from bone and its fluid compartment. Within the cochlea of some manmmals regions of bone matrix are exposed to extracellular fluid. Within the scalae of the cochlea, perilymph is in contact with bone matrix; there is no evidence of a lining endothelium. Within the modiolus and subjacent to the spiral ligament, bone matrix is in contact with GECF. These findings may have importance in understanding calcium homeostasis within the scalae and may relate to the pathophysiology of labyrinthitis ossificans. Additionally, since BLCs probably represent a specific phenotype, the presence of a pure population of BLCs within the scalae may provide a source for the development of a pure culture of this cell.