HISTOLOGY of THE EAR Yosi Wailan

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HISTOLOGY of THE EAR

Conducting and Sensory Structures
o Outer, middle, inner ear
Sensory Structures (Vestibulocochlear apparatus):
o Bony and Membranous Labyrinths
Vestibular System : utricle & saccule : macula
semicircular canals : crista
Auditory System : Cochlea : Organ of Corti
1.

Outer ear

a. The auricle (pinna) consists of an irregularly shaped plate of elastic cartilage

covered by tightly adherent skin on all sides.
b. The external acoustic meatus is covered by stratified squamous epithelium
continuous with skin of the auricle and near its opening hair follicle, sebaceous
gland, and modified apocrine sweat gland (ceruminous gland). Ceruminous
glands are coiled tubular glands that produce the cerumen or earwax a
brownish, semisolid mixture of fats and waxes.
c. Across the deep end of the external auditory meatus lies
an oval membrane, the tympanic membrane (eardrum).
Its external surface is covered with a thin layer of
epidermis, and its inner surface is covered with simple
cuboidal epithelium continuous with the lining of the
tympanic cavity. Between the two epithelial coverings is a
tough connective tissue layer composed of collagen and
elastic fibers and fibroblasts. The tympanic membrane is
the structure that transmits sound waves to the ossicles of
the middle ear.
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2. Middle ear
a. Contain the tympanic cavity, space between tympanic membrane and the bony
surface of the internal ear
b. The tympanic cavity is lined mainly with simple cuboidal epithelium resting
on a thin lamina propria that adherent to periosteum.
c. Near the auditory tube, this simple epithelium is gradually replaced by ciliated
pseudostratified columnar epithelium lining the tube
d. The middle ear cavity communicates anteriorly with the nasopharynx via the
auditory (Eustachian) tube which permits equalisation of pressure changes
with the external environment (atmospheric pressure). Epitelnya variasi
bertingkat-selapis silindris bersilia bersel goblet.
e. The tympanic membrane is connected to the oval window by a series of three
small bones, the auditory ossicles the malleus, incus, and stapes that transmit
the mechanical vibrations generated in the tympanic membrane to the internal
ear. These bones are articulated by synovial joints and covered with simple
squamous epithelium. In the middle ear are two small muscles that insert
themselves into the malleus and stapes. They have a function in regulating
sound conduction.
3. Inner ear
a. Vestibulum: Saccule and Utricle
The saccule and utricle, sac-like structures lying in the vestibule, contain
neuroepithelial cells that are specialized to sense position of the head and
linear movement.

The saccule and utricle are connected to each other by a small duct, the
ductus utriculosaccularis. Additionally, small ducts from each join to form the
endolymphatic duct, whose dilated blind end is known as the
endolymphatic sac. Another small duct, the ductus reuniens, joins the
saccule with the duct of the cochlea.

The walls of the saccule and utricle are composed of a thin outer vascular
layer of connective tissue and an inner layer of simple squamous to low
cuboidal epithelium. Specialized regions of the saccule and utricle act as
receptors for sensing orientation of the head relative to gravity and
acceleration, respectively. These receptors are called the macula of the
saccule and the macula of the utricle.

The maculae of the saccule and utricle are located so that they are
perpendicular to each other (i.e., the macula of the saccule is located
predominantly in the wall, thus detecting linear vertical acceleration, whereas
the macula of the utricle is located mostly in the floor, thus detecting linear
horizontal acceleration). The epithelium of the nonreceptor regions of the
saccule and utricle is composed of light and dark cells. Light cells have a few
microvilli, and their cytoplasm contains a few pinocytotic vesicles, ribosomes,
and only a small number of mitochondria. The cytoplasm of the dark cells,
however, contains an abundance of coated vesicles, smooth vesicles, and lipid
droplets as well as numerous elongated mitochondria located in compartments
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formed by infoldings of the basal plasma membrane. Nuclei of the dark cells
are irregular in shape and are often located apically. Although the function of
these two cell types is not known, it is thought that light cells play a role in
absorption and that dark cells control endolymph composition.

The maculae are thickened areas of the epithelium, 2 to 3 mm in diameter.

They are composed of two types of neuroepithelial cells called type I and
type II hair cells, as well as of supporting cells that sit on a basal lamina.
Nerve fibers from the vestibular division of the vestibulocochlear nerve supply
the neuroepithelial cells.

Each type I or type II hair cell has a single kinocilium and 50 to 100
stereocilia arranged in rows according to length, with the longest (10 m)
being nearest the kinocilium.

Type I hair cells are plump cells with a rounded base that narrows toward
the neck. Their cytoplasm contains occasional RER, a supranuclear Golgi
complex, and numerous small vesicles. Each stereocilium, which is anchored in
a dense terminal web, is a long microvillus with a core of many actin filaments
cross-linked by fimbrin. The filamentous core imparts rigidity to the
stereocilia, so that bending can occur only in the neck region, near their site of
origin from the apical plasma membrane.

Type II hair cells are similar to type I hair cells with regard to the
stereocilia and kinocilium, but their shape is more columnar and their
cytoplasm contains a larger Golgi complex and more vesicles.

Supporting cells of the maculae, which are interposed between both

types of hair cells, have a few microvilli. Thick junctional complexes bind these
cells to each other and to the hair cells. They exhibit a well-developed Golgi
complex and secretory granules, suggesting that they may help maintain the
hair cells or may contribute to the production of endolymph.

Innervation of the hair cells is derived from the vestibular division of the
vestibulocochlear nerve. The rounded bases of the type I hair cells are almost
entirely surrounded by a cup-shaped afferent nerve fiber. Type II hair cells
exhibit many afferent fibers synapsing on the basal area of the cell. Structures
resembling synaptic ribbons are present near the bases of type I and type II
hair cells. The synaptic ribbons of the type II hair cells probably function in
synapses with efferent nerves, which are thought to be responsible for
increasing the efficiency of synaptic release.

The stereocilia of the neuroepithelial hair cells are covered by and

embedded in a thick, gelatinous glycoprotein mass, the otolithic membrane.
The surface region of this membrane contains small calcium carbonate
crystals known as otoliths or otoconia.
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Type 1 Hair Type 2 Hair

b. Semicircular duct
Each semicircular duct, a continuation of the membranous labyrinth arising
from the utricle, is housed within its semicircular canal and thus conforms to its
shape. Each of the three ducts is dilated at its lateral end (near the utricle).
These expanded regions, called the ampullae, contain the cristae
ampullares, which are specialized receptor areas. Each crista ampullaris is
composed of a ridge whose free surface is covered by sensory epithelium
consisting of neuroepithelial hair cells and supporting cells. The
supporting cells sit on the basal lamina, whereas the hair cells do not; rather,
the hair cells are cradled between the supporting cells. The neuroepithelial
cells, also known as type I and type II hair cells, exhibit the same
morphology as the hair cells of the maculae. The cupula, a gelatinous
glycoprotein mass overlying the cristae ampulares, is similar to the otolithic
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membrane in structure and function, but it is cone-shaped and does not
contain otoliths.

- The 3 SD are part of the membranous labyrinth having the same general form
as the semicircular canal in the bony labyrinth
Each extends from the return to the wall of the utricle lie in 3 different spatial
plane
The enlargement ampulla end of each semicircular duct has an elongated
ridgelike area of mechanoreceptor called crista ampullaris (histologically
similar t maculae, with hair cells, supporting cells, and nerve ending)
The protyeoglycan layer (cupola) attached to the sensory cells hair bundle is
thicker and doesnt contain otoliths. This cupula extend across the ampulla,
contacting the opposite non sensory wall.

c. Cochlear duct & Organ of Corti

The cochlear duct and its organ of Corti are responsible for the mechanism of
hearing.

The vestibular membrane is composed of two layers of squamous epithelia

separated from each other by a basal lamina. The inner layer is the lining cells of
the scala media, and the outer layer is the lining cells of the scala vestibuli.
Numerous tight junctions seal both layers of cells, thus ensuring a high ionic
gradient across the membrane. The basilar membrane, extending from the spiral
lamina at the modiolus to the lateral wall, supports the organ of Corti and is
composed of two zones: the zona arcuata and the zona pectinata. The zona
arcuata is thinner, lies more medial, and supports the organ of Corti. The zona
pectinata is similar to a fibrous meshwork containing a few fibroblasts.
The lateral wall of the cochlear duct, extending between the vestibular
membrane and the spiral prominence, is covered by a pseudostratified epithelium
called the stria vascularis. Unlike most epithelia, it contains an intraepithelial
plexus of capillaries. Although the stria vascularis is reported to be composed of
three cell types-basal, intermediate, and marginal cells-the three types closely
resemble one another in electron micrographs.
Dark-staining marginal cells have abundant microvilli on their free surfaces. Their
dense cytoplasm contains numerous mitochondria and small vesicles. Labyrinthine, narrow
cell processes containing elongated mitochondria are abundant on the basilar portion of the
cells.
Light-staining basal cells and intermediate cells have less dense cytoplasm
containing only a few mitochondria. Both have cytoplasmic processes that radiate out from
the cell surfaces to interdigitate with the cell processes of the marginal cells and with other
intermediate cells. Basal cells also have cellular processes that ascend around the bases of
Figure: Light micrograph
the marginal of the
cells, organ of
forming Corti sitting
cup-like on thethat
structures basilar membrane
isolate (BM) within
and support the the cochleacells.
marginal (180). The
cochlearIntraepithelial
duct (CD), containing
capillaries are positioned in such a fashion that they are surrounded by thevestibuli
endolymph, is limited by the vestibular membrane (VM) and the BM. The scala
(SV) and the scala tympani (ST) contain perilymph. Observe the spiral ganglion and the vestibulocochlear (acoustic)
basal processes of the marginal cells and the ascending processes of the basal and
nerve fibers (ANF) coming from the hair cells of the organ of Corti.
intermediate cells.
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Although it has been suggested that a number of cells in the membranous labyrinth, including
those of the stria vascularis, may be responsible for the production of endolymph, the true
nature of its origin remains unclear. Maintenance of the ionic composition of the endolymph may
be a function of the marginal cells of the the stria vascularis.
The spiral prominence is also located on the inferior portion of the lateral wall of the
cochlear duct. It is a small protuberance that juts out from the periosteum of the cochlea into the
cochlear duct throughout its entire length. The basal cells of the stria vascularis are continuous
with the vascular layer of cells covering the prominence. Inferiorly, these cells are reflected into
the spiral sulcus, where they become cuboidal. Other cells of this layer continue onto the basilar
lamina as the cells of Claudius, which overlie the smaller cells of Bttcher. The latter cells
are located only in the basilar turns of the cochlea. The function of the cells of Claudius and
Bttcher is unknown.
At the narrowest portion of the cochlear duct, where the vestibular and basilar membranes
meet, periosteum covering the spiral lamina bulges out into the scala media, forming the limbus
of the spiral lamina. Part of the limbus projects over the internal spiral sulcus (tunnel). The
upper portion of the limbus is the vestibular lip, and the lower portion is called the tympanic
lip of the limbus, a continuation of the basilar membrane. Numerous perforations in the
tympanic lip accommodate branches of the cochlear division of the vestibulocochlear nerve
(acoustic nerve). Interdental cells located within the body of the spiral limbus secrete the
tectorial membrane, a proteoglycan-rich gelatinous mass containing numerous fine keratin-like
filaments, that overlies the organ of Corti. Stereocilia of specialized receptor hair cells of the
organ of Corti are embedded in the tectorial membrane.
The organ of Corti, the specialized receptor organ for hearing, lies on the basilar membrane
and is composed of neuroepithelial hair cells and several types of supporting cells. Although the
supporting cells of the organ of Corti have different characteristics, they all originate on the
basilar membrane and contain bundles of microtubules and microfilaments, and their apical
surfaces are all interconnected at the free surface of the organ of Corti. Supporting cells include
pillar cells, phalangeal cells, border cells, and cells of Hensen.
Nice to Know:
Meniere's Disease is a disorder characterized by hearing loss resulting from excess fluid
accumulation in the endolymphatic duct. Other symptoms include vertigo, tinnitus, nausea, and
vomiting. Some drugs can relieve vertigo and nausea. However, in severe cases the vestibular
division nerve may have to be severed, and the semicircular canals and cochlea may have to be
surgically removed.
- Vestibular membrane is very thin structure consist of a basement membrane with simple
squamous epithelium on each side
Mesothelium facing the scala vestibule
Cochlear ducts lining
- Cells of both layer have extensive tight junction that help preserve the very high ionic
gradient across this membrane between endolymph and perilymph.
- Hair cell:
Outer: 3 row near the oval windo, increasing to five row near the apex of the cochlea
Inner: single row
- The tip of the tallest stereocillia of OHC are embedded in tectorial membrane (consist of fine
bundle of collagen type II, V, IX, XI, associated proteoglycans, and other protein and is
formed during the embryonic period from secretion of cells that come to line the adjacent
region called spiral limbus)
Pillar cells are stiffened by bundles of keratin and outline a triangular, tunnel like space
between the outer and inner hair cell.
phalangeal cells intimately surround and direct support both inner and outher hair cells,
almost completely enclosing each IHC but only he basal end of the OHC
References:
Ross and Pawlina (2006), Histology: A Text and Atlas, 5th ed.
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Junquiera and Carneiro. Basic Histology. Tenth Ed. 2003
Color Texxtbook of Histology, 3rd edition
HISTOLOGY of THE EAR Yosi Wailan Saputra_0038
HISTOLOGY of THE EAR Yosi Wailan
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HISTOLOGY of THE EAR Yosi Wailan
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