The anatomy of the inner ear consists

of the bony labyrinth, a system of

passages making up the following 2
main functional parts: (1) the cochlea,
which is dedicated to hearing, and (2)
the vestibular system, which is
dedicated to balance.
The inner ear is innervated by the
eighth cranial nerve.

 The superficial contours of the inner ear

are established by a layer of dense bone
known as the bony labyrinth, which
refers to the network of canals. The
walls of the bony labyrinth are
continuous with the surrounding
temporal bone. The inner contours of
the bony labyrinth closely follow the
contours of the membranous labyrinth, a
delicate, interconnected network of
fluid-filled tubes in which the receptors
are found.

 The walls of the bony labyrinth consist of dense

bone everywhere except at 2 small areas near the
base of the cochlear spiral. The round window
consists of a thin, membranous partition that
separates the perilymph of the cochlear chambers
from the air-filled middle ear. Collagen fibers
connect the boney margins of the opening known
as the oval window at the base of the stapes. [4]
A liquid called perilymph, the properties of which
closely resemble those of cerebrospinal fluid,
flows between the bony and membranous
labyrinths. Another fluid, called endolymph, is
contained in the membranous labyrinth. The
endolymph has concentrations of electrolytes that
differ from those of typical body fluids.

 The bony labyrinth can be subdivided into

the vestibule, 3 semicircular canals, and the
cochlea. The vestibule contains a pair of
membranous sacs: the saccule (sacculus)
and the utricle (utriculus). Receptors in the
vestibule provide for sensations of gravity
and linear acceleration.
The semicircular canals enclose the slender
semicircular ducts. Receptors located here
are stimulated by rotation of the head.
Together with the vestibule, this is called the
vestibular complex. The fluid filled chambers
within the vestibule are generally continuous
with those of the semicircular canals.

 The cochlea is a bony, spiral-shaped

chamber that contains the cochlear
duct of the membranous labyrinth.
The sense of hearing is provided by
receptors within the cochlear duct. A
pair of perilymph-filled chambers is
found on each side of the duct. The
entire apparatus makes turns around
a central bony hub, much like a snail
shell.