Structure and Innervation of the Inner Ear Sensory Epithelia

Publisher Summary With the development of methods for histochemical analysis of inner ear structures, tissue culture techniques, phase-contrast microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy, the knowledge of inner ear structures has rapidly progressed. This chapter discusses the structure and peripheral innervation of the inner ear. The inner ear is surrounded by a very hard and, from a histotechnical point of view, resistant bony capsule. This periotic labyrinth is subject to many investigations, especially as the bone is the site of a special disease, otosclerosis–a disease, which today is the object of otologic surgical interest. The chapter describes the development and the general features of the bony labyrinth and the inner ear. In the adult mammalian ear the periotic labyrinth encapsules the otic labyrinth which consists of a series of ducts and sacs floating in or supported in the perilymph by thin, fibrous strands or by nerve fibers. The communication with the surrounding fluid systems takes place through the endolymphatic duct and the cochlear aqueduct. Through the oval and round windows sound waves may enter the inner ear. The chapter also focuses on the structure and innervation of the cochlea and vestibular sensory epithelia.