抄録
Little research has been performed to date concerning the role of the structure of the annular ligament in the movement of the stapes. We carried out transmission and scanning electron microscopy observations on the annular ligament, and we thereby lerned that it consists of 3 layers: a tympano epithelial layer, a middle layer, and a mesothelial cell layer. The middle layer is composed primarily of collagenous fibers, elastic fibers, fibroblasta and amorpous substance.
on the basis of these findings, it was realized that this trilayered structure is very similar to the round window.
