Figure 6.

Schematic drawing of a model of the interstitial connective tissue network function and control of tissue swelling. According to this model, the extensive tissue network, formed by CT cells' intercellular contacts and CT cell contacts with the ECM, helps to control interstital fluid pressure by restraining the intrinsic swelling tendency of the ground substance. Inflammation will lead to disorganization of the network structure, probably by affecting the cell-cell and cell-ECM contacts (see Berg et al. 1998) and causing edema to form. Subsequently, the interstitial fluid pressure will increase and lead to impaired endolymph outflow. Eventually endolymphatic hydrops may develop, as seen in patients with Ménière's disease.