El oido es una unidad anatómica relacionada con la

audición y el equilibrio.

Oído Se desarrolla a partir de tres partes:

Prof. Héctor A. Hurtazo Oído externo (órgano que recoge los sonidos)

Oído medio y (conduce los sonidos del al oído interno)

Oído interno (convierte las ondas sonoras en estímulos

nerviosos y registra las cambios de
equilibrio).

404 Part Two: Special Embryology

OIDO INTERNO

Aproximadamente a los 22 días se observa un engrosamiento

del ectodermo superficial a cada lado del rombencéfalo.

Las placas óticas se invaginan rapidamente y forman las

vesículas óticas o auditivas (otocistos).
A B
Chapter 16: Ear 405
Figure 16.1 A. Scanning electron micrograph of a mouse embryo equivalent to ap-
proximately 28 days of human development. The otic placodes, as shown in B, are
invaginating to form the otic pits (arrows). Arrowhead, second arch; H, heart; star,
mandibular prominence. B. Region of the rhombencephalon showing the otic placodes
in a 22-day embryo.

fashion until at the end of the eighth week it has completed 2.5 turns (Fig. 16.3,
D and E ). Its connection with the remaining portion of the saccule is then con-
fined to a narrow pathway, the ductus reuniens (Fig. 16.3E ; see also Fig. 16.8).
Mesenchyme surrounding the cochlear duct soon differentiates into carti-
lage (Fig. 16.4A). In the 10th week, this cartilaginous shell undergoes vacuoliza-
tion, and two perilymphatic spaces, the scala vestibuli and scala tympani, are
formed (Fig. 16.4, B and C ). The cochlear duct is then separated from the
scala vestibuli by the vestibular membrane and from the scala tympani by the
basilar membrane (Fig. 16.4C ). The lateral wall of the cochlear duct remains
attached to the surrounding cartilage by the spiral ligament, whereas its me-
Chapter 16: Ear 405 dian angle is connected to and partly supported by a long cartilaginous process,
A B
the modiolus, the future axis of the bony cochlea (Fig. 16.4B ). C
Initially, epithelial cells of the cochlear duct are alike (Fig. 16.4A). With
further development, however, they form two ridges: the inner ridge, the future
spiral limbus, and the outer ridge (Fig. 16.4B ). The outer ridge forms one row
of inner and three or four rows of outer hair cells, the sensory cells of the
Placoda auditory system (Fig. 16.5). They are covered by the tectorial membrane, a
fibrillar gelatinous substance attached to the spiral limbus that rests with its tip
ótica
Fosa ótica on the hair cells (Fig. 16.5). The sensory cells and tectorial membrane together
constitute the organ of Corti. Impulses received by this organ are transmitted
Vesícula
ótica
OV

A B
D E
Figure 16.2 A to C. Transverse sections through the region of the rhombencephalon
C showing formation of the otic vesicles. A. 24 days. B. 27 days. C. 4.5 weeks. Note
the statoacoustic ganglia. D and E. Scanning electron micrographs of mouse embryos
equivalent to stages depicted in A and B showing development of the otic vesicles (OV ).

to the spiral ganglion and then to the nervous system by the auditory fibers of
cranial nerve VIII (Figs. 16.4 and 16.5).

UTRICLE AND SEMICIRCULAR CANALS

OV During the sixth week of development, semicircular canals appear as flattened

 406 Part Two: Special Embryology

En el curso del desarrollo cada vesícula se divide en:

a) Un componente ventral que da origen al sáculo y al C

conducto coclear y

b) Un componente dorsal que forma el utrículo, los

conductos semicirculares y el conducto endolinfático. E
Estas estructuras epiteliales constituyen en conjunto el
laberinto membranoso. A B D

Sáculo, caracol y órgano de Corti

F G
En la sexta semana el sáculo forma una evaginación tubular Figure 16.3 A and B. Development of the otocyst showing a dorsal utricular portion
en su polo inferior (el conducto coclear), que se introduce en El mesénquima
with the endolymphatic duct que
and rodea al conducto
a ventral coclearCse
saccular portion. to diferencia
E. Cochlear duct at
el mesénquima circundante a modo de espiral. 6, 7, and 8 tempranamente
weeks, respectively. Note formation of the ductus reuniens and the utricu-
en cartílago.
losaccular duct. F and G. Scanning electron micrographs of mouse embryos showing
similar stages
Enofladevelopment of theeste
décima semana, otocyst as depicted
cartílago in A and B. Arrowheads, en-
experimenta
En la octava semana a completado dos vueltas y media.
dolymphatic duct; S, saccule; small arrow, opening of semicircular canal; U , utricle. G
vacuolización y se forman dos espacios perilinfáticos, la
also shows initial stages of cochlear duct formation (large arrow).
Su conexión con la porción restante del sáculo se limita a un rampa vestibular y la rampa timpánica.
pasaje estrecho (conducto reuniens o de Hensen)

acusticae, develop in the walls of the utricle and saccule. Impulses generated
in sensory cells of the cristae and maculae as a result of a change in position
of the body are carried to the brain by vestibular fibers of cranial nerve VIII.
During formation of the otic vesicle, a small group of cells breaks away
from its wall and forms the statoacoustic ganglion (Fig. 16.2C ). Other cells of
this ganglion are derived from the neural crest. The ganglion subsequently

Chapter 16: Ear 407

Cartilaginous shell Scala vestibuli

Basement membrane

Cochlear duct
Spiral ligament

Outer ridge
Inner ridge
A
Vestibular
membrane B
El conducto coclear queda separado de la rampa vestibular
por la membrana vestibular y de la rampa timpánica por la
Cochlear duct Scala tympani Modiolus
(scala media) membrana basilar.
Scala vestibuli

Spiral ligament La pared lateral del conducto coclear se mantiene unida al

Basilar membrane
Auditory nerve fibers cartílago adyacente por el ligamento espiral.
Spiral ganglion
Scala tympani
El ángulo interno esta unido a una larga prolongación
C
cartilaginosa y parcialmente sostenido por esta la columela,
Figure 16.4 Development of the scala tympani and scala vestibuli. A. The cochlear duct
is surrounded by a cartilaginous shell. B. During the 10th week large vacuoles appear
futuro eje del caracol óseo.
in the cartilaginous shell. C. The cochlear duct (scala media) is separated from the scala
tympani and the scala vestibuli by the basilar and vestibular membranes, respectively.
Note the auditory nerve fibers and the spiral (cochlear) ganglion.

splits into cochlear and vestibular portions, which supply sensory cells of
the organ of Corti and those of the saccule, utricle, and semicircular canals,
respectively.

Middle Ear

TYMPANIC CAVITY AND AUDITORY TUBE

The tympanic cavity, which originates in the endoderm, is derived from the
 Están cubiertas por la membrana tectoria, substancia
Las células epiteliales del conducto coclear son al comienzo
gelatinosa fibrilar que está unida al limbo de la lámina espiral
todas iguales.
y cuyo extremo se apoya sobre sobre las células ciliadas.
Al continuar el desarrollo forman dos crestas: la interna,
Las células sensitivas y la membrana tectoria constituyen el
futuro limbo de la lámina espiral y la cresta externa.
órgano de Corti.
La cresta externa produce una hilera interna y tres o cuatro
Los impulsos que recibe este órgano son transmitidos al
hileras externas de células ciliadas, que son las células
ganglio espiral y luego al sistema nervioso por las fibras del
sensitivas del sistema auditivo.
octavo par craneal o nervio auditivo.

408 Part Two: Special Embryology

Utrículo y conductos semicirculares

408 Part Two: Special Embryology

En la sexta semana aparecen los conductos semicirculares

como evaginaciones aplanadas de la parte utricukar de la
vesícula ótica.

Las porciones centrales de estas evagginaciones se adosan

entre sí, desaparecen y se forman los tres conductos
semicirculares.

Figure 16.5 Development of the organ of Corti. A. 10 weeks. B. Approximately

5 months. C. Full-term infant. Note the appearance of the spiral tunnels in the organ of
Corti.

Superior
Walls of central portion of Crus commune
semicircular
outpocketing are apposed nonampullare
canal
Figure 16.5 Development of the organ of Corti. A. 10 weeks. B. Approximately
5 months. C. Full-term infant. Note the appearance of the spiral tunnels in the organ of
Corti.
C
B
A Flattened
Crus Posterior
ampullare Lateral semicircular
outpocketing Utricle
Utricle semicircular canal
canal
ApposedSuperior
Walls of central portion of Crus commune
wallssemicircular
of
outpocketing are apposed nonampullare
Semicircular
outpocketingcanal canals
OÍDO MEDIO
D E F
Figure 16.6 Development of the semicircular canals. A. 5 weeks. C. 6 weeks.
C
E. 8 weeks. B, D, and F. Apposition, fusion, and disappearance, respectively, of the
central portions of the walls of the semicircular outpocketings. Note the ampullae in
B
A the semicircular canals.
Flattened
Crus Posterior La cavidad timpánica deriva de la primera bolsa faríngea,
ampullare Lateral semicircular
Utricle
outpocketing Utricle
semicircular canal que crece rápidamente en dirección lateral y se pone en
canal contacto con la primera hendidura faríngea.
Apposed
walls of
outpocketing
Semicircular Su porción distal forma la cavidad timpánica primitiva, la
canals
proximal permanece estrecha y forma la trompa de Eustaquio
D E F (que comunica con la nasofaringe).
Figure 16.6 Development of the semicircular canals. A. 5 weeks. C. 6 weeks.
E. 8 weeks. B, D, and F. Apposition, fusion, and disappearance, respectively, of the
central portions of the walls of the semicircular outpocketings. Note the ampullae in
the semicircular canals.
 410 Part Two: Special Embryology

Roof of rhombencephalon
Auditory ossicles embedded
Endolymphatic in loose mesenchyme
duct
Utricular portion
Wall of
inner ear
Huesecillos
of otic vesicle

Saccular portion
Mesenchymal
condensation Auditory
tube
1st pharyngeal
cleft El martillo y el yunque derivan del primer arco faríngeo.
A B Inervado por el trigémino.
Tubotympanic recess External auditory Meatal
Primitive tympanic
meatus plug
cavity El estribo deriva del segundo. Inervado por el nervio facial.
Figure 16.7 A. Transverse section of a 7-week embryo in the region of the rhomben-
cephalon, showing the tubotympanic recess, the first pharyngeal cleft, and mesenchy-
mal condensation, foreshadowing development of the ossicles. B. Middle ear showing
the cartilaginous precursors of the auditory ossicles. Thin yellow line in mesenchyme
indicates future expansion of the primitive tympanic cavity. Note the meatal plug ex-
tending from the primitive auditory meatus to the tympanic cavity.

Chapter 16: Ear 411

Ligaments
Incus Incus Petrous bone
Malleus
Meckel’s Stapes
Perilymphatic
space OÍDO EXTERNO
cartilage
Wall of
Styloid
Figure 16.8 Ear showing the process
external auditory meatus, the middle ear with its ossicles,
and the inner ear.
inner ear
Oval window
Stylohyoid
Malleus
ligament Stapes El conducto auditivo externo se desarrolla a partir de la
AURICLE Eardrum
Intermediate porción dorsal de la primera hendidura faríngea.
Hyoid from
The auricle develops bone six mesenchymal proliferations at the dorsalTympanic
ends of
mesoderm layer
the first and second pharyngeal arches, surrounding the first pharyngealcavity
cleft
Al trecer mes, las células epiteliales del fondo del conducto
A 16.10, A and E ). These swellings (auricular
(Fig. B hillocks), three on each side
of the external meatus, later fuse and form
Ectodermal the definitive auricle (Fig.Endodermal
epithelium 16.10, proliferan y dan origen a una placa epitelial maciza (el tapón
epithelium meatal).
Figure 16.9 A. Derivatives of the first three pharyngeal arches. Note the malleus and
incus at the dorsal tip of the first arch and the stapes at that of the second arch.
B. Middle ear showing the handle of the malleus in contact with the eardrum. The stapes
will establish contact with the membrane in the oval window. The wall of the tympanic
cavity is lined with endodermal epithelium.

B–D and G ). As fusion of the auricular hillocks is complicated, developmental

abnormalities of the auricle are common. Initially, the external ears are in the
lower neck region (Fig. 16.10F ), but with development of the mandible, they
ascend to the side of the head at the level of the eyes.

CLINICAL CORRELATES

Deafness and External Ear Abnormalities

Congenital deafness, usually associated with deaf-mutism, may be caused
410 Part Two: Special Embryology
by abnormal development of the membranous and bony labyrinths or by
malformations Roof of the auditory ossicles and eardrum. In the most extreme
of rhombencephalon
tympanic cavity and external meatus areAuditory
cases theEndolymphatic absent. ossicles embedded
in loose mesenchyme
Most forms duct of congenital deafness are caused by genetic factors, but envi-
ronmental
Utricularfactors
portion may also interfere with normal development of the
Wall of
internal
inner ear
Oreja
of otic vesicle
and middle ear. Rubella virus, affecting the embryo in the seventh or eighth
week, may
Saccular cause severe damage to the organ of Corti. It has also been sug-
portion
gested that poliomyelitis, erythroblastosis fetalis, diabetes, hypothyroidism,
Mesenchymal
condensation
El pabellón de la oreja se desarrolla a partir de seis
and toxoplasmosis can cause congenital deafness. Auditory
tube ab- proliferaciones mesenquimatosas situadas en los extremos
External
1st pharyngeal ear defects are common; they include minor and severe
cleft (Fig. 16.11). They are significant from the standpoint of the psy-
normalities dorsales del primer y segundo arcos faríngeos, alrededor de la
chological andAemotional trauma they may B cause and for the fact they are primera hendidura.
Tubotympanic
often associated withrecess
other malformations. Thus,
External Meatalas clues to exam-
they serve
auditory Primitive tympanic
ine infants carefully for other abnormalities.meatus
plug
All of the frequently cavity occurring Estas prominencias auriculares, tres de cada lado del
chromosomal
Figure 16.7 A.syndromes and of
Transverse section most of the
a 7-week lessincommon
embryo the region of ones have ear
the rhomben- conducto auditivo externo, se fusionan y se convierten en la
cephalon, showing
anomalies as one the of tubotympanic recess, the first pharyngeal cleft, and mesenchy-
their characteristics. oreja definitiva.
mal condensation, foreshadowing development of the ossicles. B. Middle ear showing
the cartilaginous precursors of the auditory ossicles. Thin yellow line in mesenchyme
indicates future expansion of the primitive tympanic cavity. Note the meatal plug ex-
tending from the primitive auditory meatus to the tympanic cavity.
 hillocks 5 6
1 1
6

B C
3 Cymba conchae
2 4 3
5 4 Helix
1
6 Concha
2 5
Antihelix
Tragus 1

6
A
Antitragus
D

3 3
4
2 4 5
Auricular 2
hillocks 5 6
1 1 agus

6 E F

B C
3 Cymba conchae
2 4 3
5 4 Helix
1
6 Concha
2 5
Antihelix G
Tragus 1
Figure 16.10 A. Lateral view of the head of an embryo showing the six auricular hillocks
6
A
surrounding the dorsal end of the first pharyngeal cleft. B to D. Fusion and progressive
development of the hillocks into the adult auricle. E. The six auricular hillocks from
the first and second pharyngeal arches. H, heart; NP, nasal placode. F. The hillocks
becoming more defined. Note the position of the ears with respect to the mouth and
Antitragus
D eyes (e). G. External ear nearly complete. Growth of the mandible and neck region places
the ears in their permanent position.

Chapter 16: Ear 413

agus

E F

A B

C G D
Figure 16.11 A. Microtia with preauricular pit (arrow). B. Preauricular pits (arrows).
Figure 16.10 C and
A. D. Preauricular
Lateral view of appendages
the head (skin
oftags). Note the low
an embryo position of the
showing the tag
sixin auricular
D.hillocks
surrounding the dorsal end of the first pharyngeal cleft. B to D. Fusion and progressive
Preauricular appendages and pits (Fig. 16.11) are skin tags and shal-
development of the hillocks into the adult auricle. E. The six auricular hillocks from
low depressions, respectively, anterior to the ear. Pits may indicate abnormal
the first and second pharyngeal
development arches.
of the auricular H, whereas
hillocks, heart; appendages
NP, nasalmay placode. F. The hillocks
be due to
becoming moreaccessory
defined. NoteLike
hillocks. the position
other external of
earthe ears
defects, with
both are respect
associated to
withthe mouth and
eyes (e). G. External ear nearly complete. Growth of the mandible and neck region places
other malformations.
the ears in their permanent position.
Summary

The ear consists of three parts that have different origins, but that func-
tion as one unit. The internal ear originates from the otic vesicle, which
in the fourth week of development detaches from surface ectoderm. This
vesicle divides into a ventral component, which gives rise to the saccule and
cochlear duct, and a dorsal component, which gives rise to the utricle, semi-
circular canals, and endolymphatic duct (Figs. 16.3, 16.6, and 16.8). The
epithelial structures thus formed are known collectively as the membranous
labyrinth. Except for the cochlear duct, which forms the organ of Corti, all
structures derived from the membranous labyrinth are involved with equilib-
rium.
The middle ear, consisting of the tympanic cavity and auditory tube,
is lined with epithelium of endodermal origin and is derived from the first