The fine structure of freeze-fractured intercellular junctions in the guinea pig inner ear.

The distribution, size and configuration of tight and gap junctions in the guinea pig inner ear were examined in aldehyde-fixed and non-fixed freeze-etched tissue preparations.Generally, freeze fracture of the zonulae occludentes which seal the endolymphatic space reveals a band of five to eight interconnecting strands. The zonulae occludentes of the cochlear and vestibular sensory epithelia consist of numerous strands and represent the “very tight” type of junction. Possible pathological alterations of the tight junctions in some inner ear diseases are discussed.The supporting cells of all inner ear sensory epithelia as well as all other epithelia lining the endolymphatic space are coupled by many gap junctions of different sizes. Gap junctions are a common finding on the plasma membranes of the fibrocytes of the spiral ligament and-as previously reported-of all cells of the stria vascularis. Rather seldom they can be observed connecting the cells of the tympanic covering layer.The different particle den...

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