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Vestibular aqueduct is a precise structure embedded in the temporal bone and plays a key role in the physiological function of inner ear by maintaining the endolymphatic circulation and buffering the impact from intracranial pressure. Although the alterations on the morphology or volume of vestibular aqueduct result in variety of diseases, the approaches of evaluating the condition of vestibular aqueduct are still unsatisfing because the pathological sections utilized for the 3D construction model most likely undergoes morphological changes. In this study, the vestibular aqueduct images obtained by CT scanning were processed by finite element method to construct the 3D model. To assess if this numerical model reflects the actual biomechanical properties of vestibular aqueduct, the fluid-solid coupling calculation was applied to simulate the endolymphatic flow in the vestibular aqueduct. By measuring the dynamics of endolymphatic flow, and the pressure and displacement on round membrane under external pressure, we found the numerical 3D model recapitulated the biomechanical characteristics of the real vestibular aqueduct. In summary, our approach of 3D model construction for vestibular aqueduct will provide a powerful method for the research of vestibular aqueduct-related diseases.

Objective: There exist 3 communication routes between the intracranial space and the inner ear, the vestibular aqueduct, the cochlear aqueduct, and the internal auditory canal. They possess a key role in inner ear pressure regulation and fluid homeostasis and are related to inner ear diseases., Review Methods: Relevant literature was reviewed, and the current knowledge of the anatomy, physiologic importance, and relations to inner ear diseases were described. Pathologic communication routes such as semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome were highlighted as well., Conclusion: Abnormalities in all 3 communication routes may predispose or be the cause of distinct inner ear pathologic condition and involved in other cochlear and vestibular syndromes, in which their role is not completely clear. The increasing knowledge of the underlying mechanisms encourages promising approaches for possible intervention in the future.

The responses of primary vestibular neurons and perilymphatic pressure changes to middle ear pressure were investigated in guinea pigs with obstructed vestibular or cochlear aqueduct (closed VA or closed CA group) in order to clarify the influence of VA and CA on pressure-induced vestibular response. Although the neural response rates and the amount of perilymphatic pressure change in the closed VA group resembled those in the control group, these values in the closed CA group were higher than in the control group. Patency of the CA had a more significant effect on the vestibular response to middle ear pressure change than patency of the VA.