Radial current flow and source density in the basal scala tympani.

Ionic movement between the scala media and scala tympani is modulated by acoustic stimulation. It underlies electrical currents in the fluids of these compartments and produces voltage gradients from which partial current-flow densities can be estimated. Radial voltage gradients were sampled in the first turn of the scala tympani of the guinea pig cochlea at known distances from the basilar membrane. Large potential gradients indicated significant current-flow densities near the organ of Corti with less flow near the lateral wall of the cochlea and over the spiral lamina. Current-source densities were highest within 100 micron of the organ of Corti. Current-source density analysis suggested that source-sink pairs can be detected from field observations in the scala tympani.