Type I fibrocytes of the spiral ligament are critically important for cochlear potassium homeostasis. Their role in the potassium recycling pathway is to:

• A Actively pump potassium out of the endolymph into the perilymph of scala vestibuli
• B Receive potassium from supporting cells via gap junctions and shuttle it back to the stria vascularis ✓
• C Accumulate potassium in intracellular stores during periods of high acoustic stimulation
• D Transport potassium from scala tympani perilymph back into Reissner's membrane

Explanation

Potassium effluxed from hair cells during transduction passes through supporting cells (Deiters, Hensen) and into the lateral fibrocyte network of the spiral ligament via gap junctions. Type I fibrocytes, located immediately beneath the stria vascularis, receive this K+ and transport it back into the stria vascularis, which then actively pumps it back into the endolymph — maintaining the high K+ concentration (~150 mM) and endocochlear potential (~+80 mV) necessary for hair cell function. Disruption of this pathway underlies many forms of SNHL and connexin-related deafness.

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.