Abstract
The three-dimensional ultrastructure of the ciliary interconnections of the human vestibular end organs was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Ciliary interconnections were observed between the neighboring cilia, which were tightly interconnected. These interconnections ran horizontally parallel to the cuticular plate. The tip links stretched from the tips of the shorter stereocilia to their taller neighbors. These links were arranged in the same direction towards the kinocilium. These findings indicate that the tip links may be involved in the sensory cell mechanical transduction system and that the horizontal interconnections may keep the cilia arranged in a bundle.
