Stria vascularis of cochlear duct

The upper portion of the spiral ligament (which forms the outer wall of the cochlear duct) contains numerous capillary loops and small blood vessels, and is termed the stria vascularis. It produces endolymph for the scala media, one of the three fluid-filled compartments of the cochlea. The stria is a somewhat stratified epithelium containing primarily three cell types (marginal, intermediate, and basal cells) and intraepithelial capillaries. The marginal cells are involved primarily in K⁺ transport and line the endolymphatic space of the scala media. The intermediate pigment-containing cells are scattered among capillaries. The basal cells separate stria vascularis from the underlying spiral ligament. The stria vascularis also contains pericyte, melanocyte, and endothelial cells. It is the only epithelial tissue that is not avascular (i.e. completely lacking blood and lymphatic vessels).