Journal of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology of Shandong University ›› 2020, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (2): 99-105.doi: 10.6040/j.issn.1673-3770.0.2019.553

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Study on the ultrastructure of the vestibular organs and construction of structural diagrams

YANG Lijun, LI Lijuan, LIU Tao, WANG Liwei   

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Beijing ChuiYangLiu Hospital, Beijing 100022, China
  • Published:2020-04-07

Abstract: Objective To observe the ultrastructure of the utricle, saccule, and ampulla in mice using scanning electron microscopy(SEM), analyze the significance of these structures, and construct a new schematic diagram of the vestibular organs. Methods Ten mice from each of the following age groups were recruited: young mice ≤ 2 months, 2 months < middle-aged mice ≤12 months, and aged mice >12 months. The utricle, saccule, and ampulla were harvested, and samples were prepared using the previously described method for SEM samples. Subsequently, samples were observed using Hitachi S-4800 SEM. Results 1)Different layers of the utricular macula and saccular macula were imaged using SEM. The macular surface showed “surface otolith,” which was accumulated and adhered together. There was an unstructured gelatinous substance under the surface otolith. The surface otoliths on the bottom penetrated into the unstructured gelatinous layer. Below the unstructured gelatinous layer was the hair cell cilia and “interciliary otolith” layer. There were interciliary otoliths between different cilium bundles, which stood on the flat surfaces of the supporting cells. The honeycomb gelatinous substance was connected to the unstructured gelatinous layer, interciliary otoliths, and hair cell cilia. 2)The ultrastructure of the ampulla was imaged using SEM. The cupula, an unstructured gelatinous substance, adhered to the lateral wall of the ampulla but was easy to separate. There were fine crystalline substances between the cupula and the lateral wall of the ampulla and on the walls of both sides of the ampulla crista(surface otolith of the ampulla crista). There were otolith structures between the cilia of different hair cells of the ampulla crista(interciliary otolith of the ampulla crista). Conclusion SEM of the vestibular organs revealed new structural components of the utricle, saccule, and ampulla, and we may be able to construct new ultrastructural diagrams of the vestibular organs.

Key words: vestibular organ, ultrastructure, otolith, gelatinous substance, structural diagram

CLC Number: 

  • R764.3
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[1] To establish a new grade of vestibular function abnormality in patients with Menieres disease(MD)and to preliminarily investigate its clinical significance and correlation with the hearing stage. MethodsClinical data of patients with unilateral intractable MD hospitalized from January to December were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent pure-tone audiometry, cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential(cVEMP)testing, ocular VEMP(oVEMP)testing, the video head impulse test(vHIT), and the caloric test. Abnormal semicircular canal function was defined as an abnormal vHIT or caloric test result. Abnormal saccule function was defined as an abnormal cVEMP. Abnormal utricle function was defined as an abnormal oVEMP. Vestibular function grade Ⅰ was defined when the utricle, saccule, and semicircular canal were normal. Vestibular function grade Ⅱ was defined when the utricle, saccule, or semicircular canal was abnormal. Vestibular function grade Ⅲ was defined when two structures among the utricle, saccule, and semicircular canal were abnormal. Finally, vestibular function grade Ⅳ was defined when the utricle, saccule, and semicircular canal were all abnormal. ResultsWe enrolled cases of MD, including , , , and cases in stages Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ, respectively. The pure-tone average(PTA)hearing at Hz, kHz, and kHz was .±. dB HL in the ears with MD. The abnormal rates of cVEMP, oVEMP, vHIT, and caloric test results were .%, .%, .%, and .%, respectively. According to the grade of vestibular function abnormality, , , , and cases were in grades Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ, respectively. The vestibular function stage significantly correlated with the PTA(Pr=.), MD stage(P., r=.), and disease duration(P=., r=.). The vestibular function stage did not significantly correlate with patient age(P=.). ConclusionThe rates of abnormal otolith and semicircular canal functions increase with the development of MD. Therefore, patients with MD can be accurately assessed with precise testing of the utricle, saccule, and semicircular canals. The status of the development of MD is reflected in the hearing and vestibular function stages. The combined assessment of hearing and vestibular functions can provide a useful reference for the treatment and prognosis of patients with MD.. A new grade of vestibular function abnormality in Menieres disease: a pilot study [J]. Journal of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology of Shandong University, 2020, 34(5): 14-19.
[2] ZHANG Yuzhong, WEI Xinyu, LI Yingqi, CHEN Zichen, XU Yong, CHENG Ying, GAO Ying, CHEN Feiyun, HU Juan, XU Min, ZHANG Qing. Invention and application of subjective visual vertical and horizontal examination software [J]. Journal of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology of Shandong University, 2018, 32(6): 60-63.
[3] ZHU Zijian, LIU Qiang. Clinical analysis of 35 cases of lateral semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo with transformable-direction eye shock [J]. J Otolaryngol Ophthalmol Shandong Univ, 2018, 32(5): 53-57.
[4] CAI Zhi, ZHENG Shi-xin, GAO Chong-yang. Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma of Tonsil: a case report and review [J]. JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY (OTOLARYNGOLOGY AND OPHTHALMOLOGY), 2012, 26(1): 55-57.
[5] JI Xiao-bin,LIU Xi-hong,ZANG Lin-quan,WANG Lei,XIE Jun . Ultrastructure of the surfactant lamellar bodies in the nasal mucosa of guinea pigs [J]. JOURNAL OF SHANDONG UNIVERSITY (OTOLARYNGOLOGY AND OPHTHALMOLOGY), 2007, 21(6): 545-547 .
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