Inner Ear Fluid Composition

Note: Due to the technical difficulties of obtaining pure samples of inner ear fluids, some published values which are regarded as "outlying"have been excluded (such as some obtained in early studies).

If you have data which should be added to this listing, please send me an e-mail, preferably with the data listed in the format shown here

Perilymph

Scala Tympani

Ion

Value

Species

Source

Comment
--------- --------------- --------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------
Na 145.5 mM SD 3.3 Chinchilla
n=4		 Ikeda and Morizono (1990) Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 247, 43 Turn I
Na 156.5 mM SE 1.77 Rat
n=43		 Sterkers et al. (1987) Am J Physiol 253, F50
Na 137 mM SD 9.5 Guinea pig
n=70		 Scheibe & Haupt (1985) Hear Res 17, 61
Na 147.46 mM SD 4.13 Guinea pig
n=15		 Kanoh & Makimoto (1984) Acta Otolaryngol 98, 98
Na 144.7 mM SD 10.0 Guinea pig
n=8		 Konishi et al. (1984) Hear Res 15, 51-58 Turn I
Na 137.0 mM SE 0.96 Rat
n=22		 Sterkers et al. (1982) Am J Physiol 243, F173 large sample size, up to 3 ul
Na 155.4 mM SD 1.1 Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1981) Hear Res 4, 265 Turn I
Na 155.4 mM SD 4.2 Guinea pig
n=3		 Konishi et al. (1981) In: Meniere's Disease Ed Vosteen KH et al. Thieme Verlag, NY, 47 Turn I
Na 155.4 mM Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1979) Hear Res 1, 325 Turn I
Na 151.7 mM SE 4.4 Guinea pig
n=6		 Bosher (1979) J Physiol 293, 329
K 4.2 mM SD 1.2 Chinchilla
n=11		 Ikeda and Morizono (1990) Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 247, 43 Turn I
K 4.0 mM SE 0.28 Rat
n=43		 Sterkers et al. (1987) Am J Physiol 253, F50
K 6.6 mM SD 3.2 Guinea pig
n=70		 Scheibe & Haupt (1985) Hear Res 17, 61
K 2.7 mM SD 0.4 Guinea pig
n=8		 Konishi et al. (1984) Hear Res 15, 51-58 Turn I
K 3.23 mM SD 0.19 Guinea pig
n=15		 Kanoh & Makimoto (1984) Acta Otolaryngol 98, 98
K 2.8 mM SD 0.5 Guinea pig
n=6		 Konishi et al. (1982) Acta Otolaryngol 95, 395
K 3.1 mM SE 0.15 Rat
n=22		 Sterkers et al. (1982) Am J Physiol 243, F173 large sample size, up to 3 ul
K 3.5 mM SD 0.3 Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1981) Hear Res 4, 265 Turn I
K 3.5 mM SD 1.4 Guinea pig
n=3		 Konishi et al. (1981) In: Meniere's Disease Ed Vosteen KH et al. Thieme Verlag, NY, 47 Turn I
K 3.5 mM Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1979) Hear Res 1, 325 Turn I
K 3.8 mM SE 0.2 Guinea pig
n=6		 Bosher (1979) J Physiol 293, 329
Cl 127.7mM SE 0.71 Rat
n=28		 Sterkers et al. (1982) Am J Physiol 243, F173
Cl 128.3 mM SD 3.3 Guinea pig
n=3		 Konishi et al. (1981) In: Meniere's Disease Ed Vosteen KH et al. Thieme Verlag, NY, 47 Turn I
Cl 124.3 mM Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1979) Hear Res 1, 325 Turn I
Cl 128.6 mM SD 5.1 Guinea pig
n=7		 Konishi & Hamrick (1978) Acta Otolaryngol. 86, 176
Ca 1.3 mM SD 0.3 Chinchilla
n=6		 Ikeda and Morizono (1990) Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 247, 43 Turn I
Ca Turn I : 1.36 mM, SD 0.53
Turn II : 1.27 mM, SD 0.40
Turn III : 1.57 mM, SD 0.57
Turn IV : 1.29 mM, SD 0.44		 Guinea pig
n=10		 Salt et al. (1989) Am. J. Otolaryngol. 10, 371 measured in fluid of spiral ligament
Osmolarity 292.9 SD 5.7 Guinea pig
n=8		 Konishi et al. (1984) Hear Res 15, 51-58 Turn I, units mOsm/kg H2O
Osmolarity 289.9 mOsm SD 7.1 Guinea pig Konishi (1982) Am J Otolaryngol Turn I

Scala Vestibuli

Ion

Value

Species

Source

Comment
--------- --------------- --------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------
Na 153.3 mM SE 1.80 Rat
n=44		 Sterkers et al. (1987) Am J Physiol 253, F50
Na 132 mM SD 11 Guinea pig
n=24		 Scheibe & Haupt (1985) Hear Res 17, 61
Na 141.0 mM SD 13.8 Guinea pig
n=8		 Konishi et al. (1984) Hear Res 15, 51-58 Turn I
Na 145.8 mM SE 2.0 n=14 Rat Sterkers et al. (1984) Am J Physiol 16, F602
Na 133.76 mM SD 4.88 Guinea pig
n=12		 Kanoh & Makimoto (1984) Acta Otolaryngol 98, 98
Na 137.5 mM SE 1.2 Rat
n=29		 Sterkers et al. (1982) Am J Physiol 243, F173 large sample size, up to 3 ul
Na 154.4 mM SD 5.7 Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1981) Hear Res 4, 265 Turn I
Na 131.7 mM SE 4.1 Rat
n=6		 Bosher (1979) J Physiol 293, 329
Na 154.5 mM Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1979) Hear Res 1, 325 Turn I
K 8.2 mM SE 0.51 Rat
n=44		 Sterkers et al. (1987) Am J Physiol 253, F50
K 7.9 mM SD 2.8 Guinea pig
n=24		 Scheibe & Haupt (1985) Hear Res 17, 61
K 9.0 mM SD 1.9 Guinea pig
n=8		 Konishi et al. (1984) Hear Res 15, 51-58 Turn I
K 8.57 mM SD 0.99 Guinea pig
n=12		 Kanoh & Makimoto (1984) Acta Otolaryngol 98, 98
K 6.0 mM SE 0.37 n=14 Rat Sterkers et al. (1984) Am J Physiol 16, F602
K 5.8 mM SD 0.9 Guinea pig
n=6		 Konishi et al. (1982) Acta Otolaryngol 95, 395
K 4.0 mM SE 0.15 Rat
n=29		 Sterkers et al. (1982) Am J Physiol 243, F173 large sample size, up to 3 ul
K 7.3 mM SD 1.1 Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1981) Hear Res 4, 265 Turn I
K 7.3 mM Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1979) Hear Res 1, 325 Turn I
K 6.8 mM SE 1.0 Rat
n=6		 Bosher (1979) J Physiol 293, 329
Cl 123.4 mM SE 0.43 n=14 Rat Sterkers et al. (1984) Am J Physiol 16, F602
Cl 127.1 mM SE 0.86 Rat
n=41		 Sterkers et al. (1982) Am J Physiol 243, F173
Cl 123.2 mM Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1979) Hear Res 1, 325 Turn I
Cl 127.8 mM SD 5.3 Guinea pig
n=7		 Konishi & Hamrick (1978) Acta Otolaryngol. 86, 176
Osmolarity 293.5 SD 5.2 Guinea pig
n=8		 Konishi et al. (1984) Hear Res 15, 51-58 Turn I, units mOsm/kg H2O
Osmolality 289 SE 3.1 n=14 Rat Sterkers et al. (1984) Am J Physiol 16, F602 units: mosml/kg H2O

Cerebrospinal fluid

Ion

Value

Species

Source

Comment
--------- --------------- --------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------
Na 158.7 mM SE 2.06 Rat
n=37		 Sterkers et al. (1987) Am J Physiol 253, F50
Na 142 mM SD 10 Guinea pig
n=48		 Scheibe & Haupt (1985) Hear Res 17, 61
Na 150.62 mM SD 5.51 Guinea pig
n=20		 Kanoh & Makimoto (1984) Acta Otolaryngol 98, 98
Na 148.3 mM SE 1.1 Rat
n=19		 Sterkers et al. (1982) Am J Physiol 243, F173
K 3.0 mM SE 0.074 Rat
n=37		 Sterkers et al. (1987) Am J Physiol 253, F50
K 3.6 mM SD 1.2 Guinea pig
n=48		 Scheibe & Haupt (1985) Hear Res 17, 61
K 2.83 mM SD 0.28 Guinea pig
n=19		 Kanoh & Makimoto (1984) Acta Otolaryngol 98, 98
K 2.5 mM SE 0.11 Rat
n=19		 Sterkers et al. (1982) Am J Physiol 243, F173
Cl 124.9 mM SE 1.4 Rat
n=24		 Sterkers et al. (1982) Am J Physiol 243, F173

Endolymph

Cochlea

Ion

Value

Species

Source

Comment
--------- --------------- --------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------
Na 1.6 mM SD 0.9 Chinchilla
n=4		 Ikeda and Morizono (1990) Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 247, 43 Turn I
Na 1.0 mM SE 0.25 Rat
n=10		 Sterkers et al. (1987) Am J Physiol 253, F50 basal turn
Na Turn I: 1.0 mM SE 0.11 n=14
Turn II: 1.8 mM SE 0.4, n=9
Turn III: 2.6 mM SE 0.84, n=3		 Rat Sterkers et al. (1984) Am J Physiol 16, F602
Na 0.23 mM SD 0.05 Guinea pig
n=8		 Konishi et al. (1984) Hear Res 15, 51-58 Turn I
Na 4.9 mM SD 1.7 Guinea pig
n=15		 Kanoh & Makimoto (1984) Acta Otolaryngol 98, 98 ** abnormally high value
Na 2.9 mM SE 0.44 Rat
n=28		 Sterkers et al. (1982) Am J Physiol 243, F173 basal turn
Na 1.5 mM SD 0.2 Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1981) Hear Res 4, 265 Turn I
Na < 0.5 mM Guinea pig
n=3		 Konishi et al. (1981) In: Meniere's Disease Ed Vosteen KH et al. Thieme Verlag, NY, 47 Turn I
Na 1.1 mM SE 0.12 Guinea pig
n=4		 Bosher (1980) Acta Otolaryngol 89, 407 Turn I
Na 0.76 mM SE 0.05 Rat
n=20		 Bosher (1980) Acta Otolaryngol 89, 407 Turn II
Na 1.5 mM Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1979) Hear Res 1, 325 Turn I
Na 0.75 mM SE 0.09 Guinea pig
n=13		 Bosher (1979) J Physiol 293, 329 Turn I
Na 0.82 mM SE 0.04 Rat
n=40		 Bosher (1979) J Physiol 293, 329 Turn II
Na 1.04 mM SD 0.51 Guinea pig
n=10		 Konishi & Kelsey (1973) Acta Otolaryngol 76, 410 Basal turn
Na 1.4 mM Johnstone et al., (1963), Comp. Biochem. Physiol, 9, 335
K 150.2 mM SD 15.2 Chinchilla
n=11		 Ikeda and Morizono (1990) Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 247, 43 Turn I
K 151.4 mM SE 4.3 Guinea pig
n=6		 Ikeda and Morizono (1988) Hear Res 34, 193 Turn I
K 142.4 mM SE 3.5 Chinchilla
n=8		 Ikeda and Morizono (1988) Hear Res 34, 193 Turn I
K 180.4 mM SE 2.14 Rat
n=10		 Sterkers et al. (1987) Am J Physiol 253, F50 basal turn
K 154.5 mM SD 14.8 Guinea pig
n=8		 Konishi et al. (1984) Hear Res 15, 51-58 Turn I
K 165.5 mM SD 8.1 Guinea pig
n=10		 Kanoh & Makimoto (1984) Acta Otolaryngol 98, 98
K Turn I: 176.9 mM SE 2.29 n=14
Turn II: 171.4 mM SE 2.88, n=9
Turn III: 170.6 mM SE 5.66, n=3		 Rat Sterkers et al. (1984) Am J Physiol 16, F602
K 161.8 mM SD 3.4 Guinea pig
n=6		 Konishi et al. (1982) Acta Otolaryngol 95, 395
K 156.6 mM SE 2.1 Rat
n=28		 Sterkers et al. (1982) Am J Physiol 243, F173
K 150 mM Guinea pig Morgenstern et al. (1982) Am J Otolaryngol 3, 323
K 155.9 mM SD 7.6 Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1981) Hear Res 4, 265 Turn I
K 152.3 SD 3.8 Guinea pig
n=3		 Konishi et al. (1981) In: Meniere's Disease Ed Vosteen KH et al. Thieme Verlag, NY, 47 Turn I
K 167.2 mM SE 1.4 Guinea pig
n=4		 Bosher (1980) Acta Otolaryngol 89, 407 Turn I
K 152.2 mM SE 2.6 Rat
n=15		 Bosher (1980) Acta Otolaryngol 89, 407 Turn II
K 152.3 Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1979) Hear Res 1, 325 Turn I
K Turn I: 161.7 mM SD 5.0 n=19
Turn II: 155.9 mM SD 2.1 n=3		 Guinea pig Salt & Konishi (1979) Hear Res 1,343
K 159.4 mM SE 2.1 Guinea pig
n=13		 Bosher (1979) J Physiol 293, 329 Turn I
K 150.3 mM SE 1.8 Rat
n=32		 Bosher (1979) J Physiol 293, 329 Turn II
K 161.7 mM SD 3.82 Guinea pig
n=10		 Konishi & Kelsey (1973) Acta Otolaryngol 76, 410 Basal turn
K 150 mM Johnstone et al., (1963), Comp. Biochem. Physiol, 9, 335
Cl Turn I: 140.4 mM SE 1.31 n=14
Turn II: 131.5 mM SE 1.71, n=9
Turn III: 131.7 mM SE 2.07, n=3		 Rat Sterkers et al. (1984) Am J Physiol 16, F602
Cl 117.4 +/- 9.6 mM Guinea pig
n=9		 Amano et al. (1983) Arch Otorhinolaryngol 237:273
Cl 132.7 mM SE 1.8 Rat
n=24		 Sterkers et al. (1982) Am J Physiol 243, F173
Cl 117 mM Guinea pig Morgenstern et al. (1982) Am J Otolaryngol 3, 323
Cl 130.6 mM SD 5.9 Guinea pig
n=3		 Konishi et al. (1981) In: Meniere's Disease Ed Vosteen KH et al. Thieme Verlag, NY, 47 Turn I
Cl 127.8 mM Guinea pig
n=5		 Konishi et al (1979) Hear Res 1, 325 Turn I
Cl 131.0 mM SD 5.6 Guinea pig
n=7		 Konishi & Hamrick (1978) Acta Otolaryngol. 86, 176
Ca 0.017 mM SD 0.004 Chinchilla
n=6		 Ikeda and Morizono (1990) Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 247, 43 Turn I
Ca Turn I : 0.024 mM, SD 0.008, n=11
Turn II : 0.028 mM, SD 0.005, n=11
Turn III : 0.030 mM, SD 0.006, n=10
Turn IV : 0.038 mM SD 0.015, n=10		 Guinea pig Salt & DeMott (1994) Hear Res 74, 115
Ca Turn I : 0.017 mM, SD 0.004
Turn II : 0.024 mM, SD 0.006
Turn III : 0.032 mM, SD 0.004
Turn IV : 0.041 mM SD 0.009		 Guinea pig
n=10		 Salt et al. (1989) Am. J. Otolaryngol. 10, 371
Ca 0.027 mM SD 0.006 Guinea pig
n=14		 Ninoyu & Meyer zum Gottesberge (1986) Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngology 243,141 Assume turn I
Ca 0.030 mM SE 0.020 (ion elec)
0.023 mM SE 0.030 (flame - total)		 Rat
n=15		 Bosher & Warren (1978) Nature 273, 377 Turn II
pH 7.436 SE 0.001 Rat
n=6		 Bosher (1979) J Physiol 293, 329 Turn II
Osmolality Turn I : 329 SE 2.9 n=13
Turn II: 322 SE2.7 n=9
Turn III: 317 SE 5.2 n=3		 Rat Sterkers et al. (1984) Am J Physiol 16, F602 units: mOsml/kg H2O
Osmolarity 304.2 SD 6.8 Guinea pig
n=8		 Konishi et al. (1984) Hear Res 15, 51-58 Turn I, units: mOsml/kg H2O
Osmolarity 300 mOsm SD 6.9 Guinea pig Konishi (1982) Am J Otolaryngol Turn I

Saccule

Ion

Value

Species

Source

Comment
--------- --------------- --------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------
Na 3 mM Johnstone & Sellick (1972) Q. Rev. Biophys. 5, 1
K 150 mM Guinea pig Morgenstern et al. (1982) Am J Otolaryngol 3, 323
Cl 119 mM Guinea pig Morgenstern et al. (1982) Am J Otolaryngol 3, 323
Ca 0.092 mM, SD 0.018 Guinea pig
n=10		 Salt et al. (1989) Am. J. Otolaryngol. 10, 371

Utricle

Ion

Value

Species

Source

Comment
--------- --------------- --------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------
Na 15.8 Smith et al. (1954) Laryngoscope 64, 141
Na 14.3 mM Johnstone & Sellick (1972) Q. Rev. Biophys. 5, 1
K 150 mM Guinea pig Morgenstern et al. (1982) Am J Otolaryngol 3, 323
K 144 Smith et al. (1954) Laryngoscope 64, 141 First measure of high endolymphatic K
Cl 119 mM Guinea pig Morgenstern et al. (1982) Am J Otolaryngol 3, 323
Ca 0.133 mM, SD 0.017 Guinea pig
n=5		 Salt et al. (1989) Am. J. Otolaryngol. 10, 371

Semi-Circular Canals

Ion

Value

Species

Source

Comment
--------- --------------- --------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------
Na 18.4 mM SD 4.4 Guinea pig
n=20		 Mori et al. (1987) Arch Otorhinolaryngol 244, 61
K 130.4 mM SD 4.6 Guinea pig
n=9		 Mori et al. (1987) Arch Otorhinolaryngol 244, 61
Ca 0.26 mM SD 0.08TD> Guinea pig
n=9		 Ninoyu & Meyer zum Gottesberge (1986) Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngology 243,141

Endolymphatic Sac

Ion

Value

Species

Source

Comment
--------- --------------- --------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------
Na 101 mM SE 13.5 Guinea pig
n=5		 Couloigner et al. (1999) Acta Otolaryngol 119, 200 intradural
Na 99 mM SE 8.9 Guinea pig
n=9		 Couloigner et al. (1999) Acta Otolaryngol 119, 200 translabyrinthine, via the duct
Na 99.1 mM SE 12.0 (published figure is activity)
135.8 mM SD 16.4 (concentration, assuming act. coeff. of 0.73)		 Guinea pig
n=3		 Mori et al. (1998) Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 533, 12 extradural
Na 129.0 mM SD 8.8 Guinea pig
n=6		 Ikeda & Morizono (1991) Hear Res 54, 118 intradural approach
Na 103.3 mM SD 14.7 (published figure is activity)
141.5 mM SD 20.1 (concentration, assuming act. coeff. of 0.73)		 Guinea pig
n=13		 Mori et al. (1987) Arch Otorhinolaryngol 244, 61 extradural approach
K 16 mM SE 9.0 Guinea pig
n=5		 Couloigner et al. (1999) Acta Otolaryngol 119, 200 intradural
K 14 mM SE 1.9 Guinea pig
n=9		 Couloigner et al. (1999) Acta Otolaryngol 119, 200 translabyrinthine, via the duct
K 10.0 mM SE 3.5(published figure is activity)
13.7 mM SD 4.8 (concentration, assuming act. coeff. of 0.73)		 Guinea pig
n=3		 Mori et al. (1998) Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 533, 12 extradural
K 13.3 mM SD 4.7 Guinea pig
n=6		 Ikeda & Morizono (1991) Hear Res 54, 118 intradural approach
K 11.6 mM SD 0.8 (published figure is activity)
15.9 mM SD 1.1 (concentration, assuming act. coeff. of 0.73)		 Guinea pig
n=4		 Mori et al. (1987) Arch Otorhinolaryngol 244, 61 extradural approach
K 17 mM Guinea pig Morgenstern et al. (1982) Am J Otolaryngol 3, 323
K 16.7 mM SD 5.1 Guinea pig
n=20		 Miyamato & Morgenstern (1979) Arch Otorhinolaryngol 222,77 extradural
Cl 124.3 mM SD 16.6 Guinea pig
n=6		 Ikeda & Morizono (1991) Hear Res 54, 118 intradural approach
Cl 85.0 +/- 9.0 mM Guinea pig
n=7		 Amano et al. (1983) Arch Otorhinolaryngol 237:273
Cl 85 mM Guinea pig Morgenstern et al. (1982) Am J Otolaryngol 3, 323
Ca 0.47mM SD 0.09 Guinea pig
n=9		 Ninoyu & Meyer zum Gottesberge (1986) Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngology 243,141