vascularis

Vascularis is a Latin adjective meaning "of vessels" and is used in biological and medical terminology to denote a relationship to blood vessels or to the vascular system. In anatomy, it appears most often as part of a proper name for a structure or as a descriptor in embryological contexts.

One of the best-known uses is the stria vascularis, a specialized, highly vascularized epithelium along the lateral wall of the cochlear duct (scala media) in the inner ear. The stria vascularis comprises marginal, intermediate, and basal cell layers and is enveloped by an extensive capillary network. It maintains the ionic composition of endolymph, actively secretes potassium, and generates the endolymphatic potential essential for hair cell transduction and normal hearing.

Other developmental contexts utilize the term in phrases such as tela vasculosa lentis and tela vasculosa retinae. These are temporary vascular networks that surround the developing lens and retina in the fetus and typically regress as maturation proceeds.

In broad usage, vascularis serves as a descriptor indicating vascular relation in various anatomical phrases. It is not usually a standalone anatomical entity but a term applied to structures or tissues characterized by their association with blood vessels or vascular development. The exact meaning of vascularis is thus determined by the specific structure being described.