Figure 1.

Schematic diagram of potassium circulation, ion channels and transporters in the cochlear lateral wall. (I) Potassium exits the hair cell and re-circulates into the endolymph of the scala media via various structures and ion channels in the supporting cells and lateral wall of the cochlea. (II) Various ion transporter channels; NKCC1; Na, K-ATPase; KCNQ1; Kir 4.1; Kir 5.1 and Kv, are expressed in the stria vascularis and spiral ligament that participate in potassium circulation and endocochlear potential generation. TJ: Tight Junctions. NKCC1, a key transporter in the cochlea, is expressed in spiral ligament and stria vascularis cells. Adapted from Hibino and Kurachi (2006) [25], with permission from the publisher.