Abstract
Extracellular matrix of the inner ear such as spiral ligament, tectorial membrane, basilar membrane, limbus, and perilymphatic space of both vestibule and semicircular canal, is composed of fibroblasts and many fine fibrils (10-13nm in diameter). Longitudinal section of those fibrils is straight and unbranched and cross section of them is rectangular. We reconfirmed such structural appearance of the extracellular fibrils in the tectorial membane using thin section method. Moreover, we showed clear stranded pattern of them using positive staining method. This stranded pattern is similar to the typical collagen fibril.
