The Cochlear Blood Vessels in Guinea Pigs of Different Ages

Abstract

The vascular pattern of the cochlea was compared in guinea pigs of different ages by a previously presented method of contrast injection. The anatomical findings are similar in the newborn and old guinea pigs which is consistent with the very sparse information published on the subject. The appearance of the vessel of the basilar membrane, also called vas spirale, is similar in newborn and old guinea pigs in spite of its large embryonic size. Differences between young and old animals consisted of a thicker bone in the bulla and cochlear capsula, a more frequent occurrence of otitis media and of pigment surrounding the spiral modiolar artery in the old animals. Consequently the newborn and young animals can be recommended for vascular studies.