平衡斑の電子顕微鏡的研究

抄録

Electron microscopic and partially histochemical studies on the macula utriculi were conducted in the normal guinea pig. Several of main findings are as follows;
1) The otolith crystal consists of a number of the fine granules with high density.
2) Between the otolith crystals and under neath the otolith layer, there is colloidal substance which shows positive reaction to P.A.S. staining.
3) The sensory hair of a sensory cell consists of a kinocilium and 60-70 stereocilia, and these cilia end in the colloidal substance under neath the otoliths.
4) So called "Cuticle" of the sensory cell is reticular structure wnich is the basal part of the stereocilia and is composed of many fine fibers. The intracellular portion of the axial filaments of the stereocilia situate in the networts.
5) Near the surface of the sensory epithelium, there are well developped terminal bars, which surround the sensory and supporting cells and form the reticular membrane.
6) Two kinds of nerve endings are distinguished. Most of them belong to so called nerve calix, in which nerve fiber maks basket-like endings around the sensory cell. The other type is budshaped one.