抄録
Histochemical studies of the vestibular labyrinth were performed. The cupula and otolithic membrane showed strong PAS reaction, Alcian blue reaction and metachromatic reaction of toluidin blue. These findings suggest that sulphomucopolysaccharides are an important chemical constituent of the cupula and otolithic membrane.
Marked succinic acid dehydrogenase activity and cytochrome oxidase activity were found in the vestibular sensory cells. These enzyme activities were stronger in Type 1 cells than in Type 2. The sensory cells in the striola of the macula utriculi and macula sacculi showed stronger activities than peripherally located sensory cells. It is assumed that the encrgy requirements of sensory cells are mainly provided by carbohydrate metabolism.
Strong ATP-ase activity was found in the sensory hairs, especially in the kinocilium. The role of the cupula, otolithic membrane and sensory hairs in the stimulation transmitting mechanism was discussed according to histochemical findings.
