抄録
The purpose of the present investigation was to disclose the characteristic ultra-microstructures relating with otoconial metabolism in human embryonic age. The materials were vestibular dark cell areas at the mid-term embryonic age when general inner ear structures were supposed to attain their final development. The two types of epithelial cells, dark cells and light cells, were present at the vestibular dark cell areas. The former had been well described about morphological feature and suggested about their absorbing function of the endolymph. The latter were little known about their nature. The ultramicroscopic observations of the light cells suggested their secretory function and relation with otoconial metabolism. Both dark cells and light cells seemed to be related each other in metabolism of otoconia in dark cell area.
