rods of Corti

3.51  rods of Corti. Two rows of stiff rod-like structures (inner and outer rods) supported by the basilar membrane. Each rod consists of a base, a striated body, and a head. The heads of the inner and outer rods are in contact and form part of the reticular lamina. The rods and the basilar membrane enclose the inner tunnel of Corti. The openings between successive rods allow communication among the inner and outer tunnels of Corti, the space of Nuel, and the internal spiral sulcus.