title: Microvascular system of the human fetal inner ear: a scanning electron microscopic study of corrosion casts.
abstract: The vascular system of the inner ear was investigated in 18-21 weeks old human fetuses, using the corrosion cast technique in scanning electron microscopy. At that developmental stage, vascularization of the cochlea and semicircular canals shows a pattern very similar to that described for adults. The most important differences which can be regarded as fetal features include: (1) denser limbus vessels, (2) the marginal vessels of the spiral lamina appearing as irregular network which shows a less clear arcade-like arrangement, (3) some radiating arterioles of the spiral lamina and marginal vessels possessing connections with the vascular system of the external wall, and (4) a dense, sinusoidal network of draining venules at scala tympani. These features apparently disappear during the final remodelling of the inner ear microvasculature in the last trimester.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Scanning Electron Microscopy, Copernicus Medical Academy, Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Miodoński
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gorczyca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nowogrodzka-Zagórska
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Litwin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Składzień
mesh_terms: D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000196:embryology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016319:Corrosion Casting; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000196:embryology*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning