The vascular anatomy of the gerbil cochlea.

The vascular pattern of the cochlea was studied in 12 adult gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) using the Berlin blue (Prussian blue) contrast injection technique. The capillary areas of the gerbil cochlea are similar to those of other mammals studied. As in some other mammals, the vessel of the basilar membrane was inconsistently identified in the basal turn. It was usually replaced by a larger uninjected channel, supporting the suggestion that the vessel of the basilar membrane may be more functionally important in fetal life than in adulthood. The vascular pattern of the external cochlear wall is well maintained from base to apex, although a simplification of vasculature can be observed apically.