Question

Suspended in the perilymph is the membranous labyrinth, a system that mostly follows the contours of the osseous labyrinth. The membranous labyrinth is filled with a more viscous fluid called ____?

1) Endolymph
2) Perilymph
3) Cerebrospinal fluid
4) Blood

Answer 1

The viscous fluid filling the membranous labyrinth is known as endolymph. It is distinct from perilymph and cerebrospinal fluid, which have different locations and functions in the human body.

Step-by-step explanation:

The membranous labyrinth, suspended in the perilymph, is filled with a viscous fluid called endolymph. While the perilymph occupies the space between the osseous, or bony, labyrinth and the membranous labyrinth, the endolymph is the fluid within the membranous labyrinth itself. This arrangement is crucial for the functioning of the inner ear, particularly in the processes of hearing and maintaining balance.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), on the other hand, is a clear bodily fluid that circulates in the subarachnoid space and the ventricular system around and inside the brain and spinal cord, providing cushioning and removing waste products.

Answer 2

The membranous labyrinth of the inner ear is filled with a fluid called endolymph.

Step-by-step explanation:

The membranous labyrinth, which is suspended in the perilymph within the inner ear, is filled with a more viscous fluid called endolymph. This fluid is crucial for the transmission of sound vibrations and the maintenance of balance. It contrasts with the perilymph fluid, in which the membranous labyrinth itself is encased. The endolymph plays an essential role in the proper functioning of both the cochlea, for hearing, and the vestibular system, for balance.