Clustering is a feature of the spiral ganglion in the basal turn.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the organization of the spiral ganglion in the mammalian species.


METHODS
Temporal bone (TB) specimens from man (n = 2), monkey (n = 2), lion (n = 2) and cat (n = 20) were stained, decalcified and dissected according to the Sudan black B method of Rasmussen. These TB specimens were examined under a Zeiss operating microscope and photographed with a Canon 100 camera interfaced with the microscope.


RESULTS
Spiral ganglion cells occurred in clusters within Rosenthal's canal in all four species. The location of the clusters was marked by the interface between axon and dendritic bundles as well as groups of ganglion cells. In monkey and man the clusters were more separated than in lion and cat.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations indicate that the spiral ganglion forms clusters of neurons within Rosenthal's canal at the basal cochlear turn in the mammals investigated here. The formation of clusters may be related to the principles of neurogenesis.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, USA. gacekr@ummhc.org
Richard R
RR
Gacek
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D003051:Cochlea / Q000294:innervation*; D003056:Cochlear Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008045:Lions; D008251:Macaca; D008297:Male; D055495:Neurogenesis; D013045:Species Specificity; D013136:Spiral Ganglion / Q000166:cytology*; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology*