Structure of avian tectorial, otolithic, and cupular membranes.
Any explanation of cochlear and vestibular micro-mechanics must include the contributions of the tectorial (TM), otholithic (OM), and cupular (CM) membranes.  However, unresolved questions about the microarchitectures of these membranes and the types and number of attachments to their underlying sensory areas have hampered the development of micro-mechanical models of transduction.  These membranes are notoriously difficult to preserve because they undergo severe shrinkage during fixation and embedding.  We have empirically developed fixation procedures that reduce shrinkage and thereby preserve the microarchitectures.  As a result, we can realistically depict the spatial relations and attachments of tectorial, otolithic, and cupular membranes to their respective sensory areas.
Cohen
G M
GM
Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne 32901-6988, USA.
D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002645:Chickens / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D003051:Cochlea / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013680:Tectorial Membrane / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000648:ultrastructure