Ultrastructure of the normal human organ of corti. new anatomical findings in surgical specimens.
CONCLUSIONS
A thorough scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigation of immediately fixed human adult cochleae obtained during surgery for petro-clival meningiomas conveyed new information about morphology.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the ultrastructure of human adult cochleae using SEM.


METHODS
Two human cochleae were decalcified, fixed with glutaraldehyde and osmium and prepared for SEM.


RESULTS
The excellently preserved morphology showed the pathways of nerve fibres through the organ of Corti. Undulating lateral cell membranes of Hensen and Claudius cells created an enlarged surface that may be important for homoeostasis. The distal attachment of the tectorial membrane to the reticular lamina was present in the shape of a marginal net, which was extended through marginal pillars. Stereocilia imprints extended as far as the distal end of the marginal pillars. The presence of an irregularly distributed fourth row of outer hair cells attached to the marginal pillars raises questions about differences in the excitation of the last row of outer hair cells as a result of differences in the composition of the tectorial membrane.
Glueckert
Rudolf
R
Departments of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Pfaller
Kristian
K
Kinnefors
Anders
A
Rask-Andersen
Helge
H
Schrott-Fischer
Anneliese
A
D003051:Cochlea / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000648:ultrastructure*