Vestibular membrane

The vestibular membrane, vestibular wall or Reissner's membrane (English: /ˈraɪsnər/), is a membrane inside the cochlea of the inner ear. It separates the cochlear duct from the vestibular duct. Together with the basilar membrane it creates a compartment in the cochlea filled with endolymph, which is important for the function of the spiral organ of Corti. It primarily functions as a diffusion barrier, allowing nutrients to travel from the perilymph to the endolymph of the membranous labyrinth.

Vestibular membrane
Diagrammatic longitudinal section of the cochlea.
Cross section of the cochlea.
Details
Identifiers
Latin	membrana vestibularis ductus cochlearis
Anatomical terminology

Histologically, the membrane is composed of two layers of flattened epithelium, separated by a basal lamina. Its structure suggests that its function is transport of fluid and electrolytes.

Reissner's membrane is named after German anatomist Ernst Reissner (1824-1878).