| Reticular membrane (cochlea) | |
|---|---|
 Section through thespiral organ of Corti. (Reticular membrane not labeled but running through hairs of outer hair cells.) | |
 Section through thespiral organ of Corti showing the lamina reticularis and subjacent structures. | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | membrana reticularis organi spiralis |
| TA98 | A15.3.03.122 |
| FMA | 77849 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Thereticular membrane (RM, also calledreticular lamina orapical cuticular plate)[1] is a thin, stiff lamina that extends from the outer hair cells to the Hensen's cells.[2] The RM is composed of "minute-fiddle-shaped cuticular structures" called the phalangeal extensions of the outer hair cells, interspaced with extensions coming from the outer phalangeal cells.[3] The RM separatesendolymph in thecochlear duct from underlying corticolymph andperilymph of thescala tympani.[1]
The hair processes of the outer hair cells emerge through and above the RM, thus immobilizing the apical pole of the outer hair cells. At the opposite basilar pole, the outer hair cells are firmly held by the phalangeal cells. The inner phalangeal cells that surround the inner hair cells reach the surface of the organ of Corti, but, even their inner-most row, are not included in the reticular membrane.[2] Thus, the RM up to the outer edge of thetectorial membrane and does not extend unto the surface of the organ of Corti.
