Submicroscopic Structure of the Cochlea

Abstract

The introduction of the electron microscope in otological research turned the interest of morphologists to study of its organization at a level beyond the resolving power of the light microscope. Since 1953, when the electron microscope was first employed by H. Engström, F. S. Sjöstrand and J. Wersäll in the study of the inner ear, a wealth of information concerning the fine structure of the inner ear has become available.
The present paper were the briefly review of the principal light microscopic as well as electron microscopic observations on the cochlea, that is, organ of Corti and its supporting structure, innervation, Reissner's membrane, stria vascularis, spiral ganglion, spiral prominence, ganglion cells and others.
The functional value of these fine structures was discussed and compared with what has been studied in other techniques.