Microanatomy of the human tunnel of Corti structures and cochlear partition-tonotopic variations and transcellular signaling.

Auditory sensitivity and frequency resolution depend on the optimal transfer of sound-induced vibrations from the basilar membrane (BM) to the inner hair cells (IHCs), the principal auditory receptors. There remains a paucity of information on how this is accomplished along the frequency range in the human cochlea. Most of the current knowledge is derived either from animal experiments or human tissue processed after death, offering limited structural preservation and optical resolution. In our study, we analyzed the cytoarchitecture of the human cochlear partition at different frequency locations using high-resolution microscopy of uniquely preserved normal human tissue. The results may have clinical implications and increase our understanding of how frequency-dependent acoustic vibrations are carried to human IHCs. A 1-micron-thick plastic-embedded section (mid-modiolar) from a normal human cochlea uniquely preserved at lateral skull base surgery was analyzed using light and transmission electron microscopy (LM, TEM). Frequency locations were estimated using synchrotron radiation phase-contrast imaging (SR-PCI). Archival human tissue prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SR-SIM) were also used and compared in this study. Microscopy demonstrated great variations in the dimension and architecture of the human cochlear partition along the frequency range. Pillar cell geometry was closely regulated and depended on the reticular lamina slope and tympanic lip angle. A type II collagen-expressing lamina extended medially from the tympanic lip under the inner sulcus, here named "accessory basilar membrane." It was linked to the tympanic lip and inner pillar foot, and it may contribute to the overall compliance of the cochlear partition. Based on the findings, we speculate on the remarkable microanatomic inflections and geometric relationships which relay different sound-induced vibrations to the IHCs, including their relevance for the evolution of human speech reception and electric stimulation with auditory implants. The inner pillar transcellular microtubule/actin system's role of directly converting vibration energy to the IHC cuticular plate and ciliary bundle is highlighted.

Cochlear Fluid Spaces and Structures of the Gerbil High-Frequency Region Measured Using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).

Since it has been difficult to directly observe the morphology of the living cochlea, our ability to infer the mechanical functioning of the living ear has been limited. Nearly all our knowledge about cochlear morphology comes from postmortem tissue that was fixed and processed using procedures that possibly distort the structures and fluid spaces of the organ of Corti. In this study, optical coherence tomography was employed to obtain volumetric images of the high-frequency hook region of the gerbil cochlea, as viewed through the round window, with far better resolution capability than had been possible before. The anatomical structures and fluid spaces of the organ of Corti were segmented and quantified in vivo and over a 90-min postmortem period. We find that the arcuate-zone and pectinate-zone widths change very little postmortem. The volume of the scala tympani between the round-window membrane and basilar membrane and the volume of the inner spiral sulcus decrease in the first 60-min postmortem. While textbook drawings of the mammalian organ of Corti and cortilymph prominently depict the tunnel of Corti, the outer tunnel is typically missing. This is likely because textbook drawings are typically made from images obtained by histological methods. Here, we show that the outer tunnel is nearly twice as big as the tunnel of Corti or the space of Nuel. This larger outer tunnel fluid space could have a substantial, little-appreciated effect on cochlear micromechanics. We speculate that the outer tunnel forms a resonant structure that may affect reticular-lamina motion.

Development of the cochlea.

The cochlea, a coiled structure located in the ventral region of the inner ear, acts as the primary structure for the perception of sound. Along the length of the cochlear spiral is the organ of Corti, a highly derived and rigorously patterned sensory epithelium that acts to convert auditory stimuli into neural impulses. The development of the organ of Corti requires a series of inductive events that specify unique cellular characteristics and axial identities along its three major axes. Here, we review recent studies of the cellular and molecular processes regulating several aspects of cochlear development, such as axial patterning, cochlear outgrowth and cellular differentiation. We highlight how the precise coordination of multiple signaling pathways is required for the successful formation of a complete organ of Corti.

Morphological Immaturity of the Neonatal Organ of Corti and Associated Structures in Humans.

Although anatomical development of the cochlear duct is thought to be complete by term birth, human newborns continue to show postnatal immaturities in functional measures such as otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). Some of these OAE immaturities are no doubt influenced by incomplete maturation of the external and middle ears in infants; however, the observed prolongation of distortion-product OAE phase-gradient delays in newborns cannot readily be explained by conductive factors. This functional immaturity suggests that the human cochlea at birth may lack fully adult-like traveling-wave motion. In this study, we analyzed temporal-bone sections at the light microscopic level in newborns and adults to quantify dimensions and geometry of cochlear structures thought to influence the mechanical response of the cochlea. Contrary to common belief, results show multiple morphological immaturities along the length of the newborn spiral, suggesting that important refinements in the size and shape of the sensory epithelium and associated structures continue after birth. Specifically, immaturities of the newborn basilar membrane and organ of Corti are consistent with a more compliant and less massive cochlear partition, which could produce longer DPOAE delays and a shifted frequency-place map in the neonatal ear.

A different ultrastructural face of ribbon synapses in the rat retina.

Ribbon synapses located exclusively within retinal, cochlear and vestibular connections belong to the most interesting cellular structures but their molecular nature and functions had remained unclear. The study has provided a descriptive morphological analysis of rat eye ribbon synapses using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). An original collection of untypical, rarely present in the literature sagittal or tangential sections through the single RIBEYE domain of the particular ribbon have been delivered.

Cochlear amplification and tuning depend on the cellular arrangement within the organ of Corti.

The field of cochlear mechanics has been undergoing a revolution due to recent findings made possible by advancements in measurement techniques. While it has long been assumed that basilar-membrane (BM) motion is the most important determinant of sound transduction by the inner hair cells (IHCs), it turns out that other parts of the sensory epithelium closer to the IHCs, such as the reticular lamina (RL), move with significantly greater amplitude for weaker sounds. It has not been established how these findings are related to the complex cytoarchitecture of the organ of Corti between the BM and RL, which is composed of a lattice of asymmetric Y-shaped elements, each consisting of a basally slanted outer hair cell (OHC), an apically slanted phalangeal process (PhP), and a supporting Deiters' cell (DC). Here, a computational model of the mouse cochlea supports the hypothesis that the OHC micromotors require this Y-shaped geometry for their contribution to the exquisite sensitivity and frequency selectivity of the mammalian cochlea. By varying only the OHC gain parameter, the model can reproduce measurements of BM and RL gain and tuning for a variety of input sound levels. Malformations such as reversing the orientations of the OHCs and PhPs or removing the PhPs altogether greatly reduce the effectiveness of the OHC motors. These results imply that the DCs and PhPs must be properly accounted for in emerging OHC regeneration therapies.

Spatiotemporal coordination of cellular differentiation and tissue morphogenesis in organ of Corti development.

The organ of Corti, an acoustic sensory organ, is a specifically differentiated epithelium of the cochlear duct, which is a part of the membranous labyrinth in the inner ear. Cells in the organ of Corti are generally classified into two kinds; hair cells, which transduce the mechanical stimuli of sound to the cell membrane electrical potential differences, and supporting cells. These cells emerge from homogeneous prosensory epithelium through cell fate determination and differentiation. In the organ of Corti organogenesis, cell differentiation and the rearrangement of their position proceed in parallel, resulting in a characteristic alignment of mature hair cells and supporting cells. Recently, studies have focused on the signaling molecules and transcription factors that regulate cell fate determination and differentiation processes. In comparison, less is known about the mechanism of the formation of the tissue architecture; however, this is important in the morphogenesis of the organ of Corti. Thus, this review will introduce previous findings that focus on how cell fate determination, cell differentiation, and whole tissue morphogenesis proceed in a spatiotemporally and finely coordinated manner. This overview provides an insight into the regulatory mechanisms of the coordination in the developing organ of Corti.

A model and analysis for the nonlinear amplification of waves in the cochlea.

A nonlinear three-dimensional model for the amplification of a wave in the cochlea is analyzed. Using the long-slender geometry of the cochlea, and the relatively high frequencies in the hearing spectrum, an asymptotic approximation of the solution is derived for linear, but spatially inhomogeneous, amplification. From this, a nonlinear WKB approximation is constructed for the nonlinear problem, and this is used to derive an efficient numerical method for solving the amplification problem. The advantage of this approach is that the very short waves needed to resolve the wave do not need to calculated as they are represented in the asymptotic solution.

Micro-optical coherence tomography of the mammalian cochlea.

The mammalian cochlea has historically resisted attempts at high-resolution, non-invasive imaging due to its small size, complex three-dimensional structure, and embedded location within the temporal bone. As a result, little is known about the relationship between an individual's cochlear pathology and hearing function, and otologists must rely on physiological testing and imaging methods that offer limited resolution to obtain information about the inner ear prior to performing surgery. Micro-optical coherence tomography (µOCT) is a non-invasive, low-coherence interferometric imaging technique capable of resolving cellular-level anatomic structures. To determine whether µOCT is capable of resolving mammalian intracochlear anatomy, fixed guinea pig inner ears were imaged as whole temporal bones with cochlea in situ. Anatomical structures such as the tunnel of Corti, space of Nuel, modiolus, scalae, and cell groupings were visualized, in addition to individual cell types such as neuronal fibers, hair cells, and supporting cells. Visualization of these structures, via volumetrically-reconstructed image stacks and endoscopic perspective videos, represents an improvement over previous efforts using conventional OCT. These are the first µOCT images of mammalian cochlear anatomy, and they demonstrate µOCT's potential utility as an imaging tool in otology research.

Hydrops of the organ of Corti.

OBJECTIVES: The authors would like to confirm a fluid pathway from the scala tympani to the organ of Corti, and to observe its morphological changes. METHODS: A staining solution for succinic dehydrogenase was perfused with phenazine methosulfate in the scala tympani of living guinea pigs (n = 5) under deep anesthesia. After fixation, the cochleas were eventually embedded in epon. Sections were observed under a light microscope. RESULTS: Blue-stained tissue is indicative of the pathway taken by the solution. The staining solution entered the organ of Corti through Hensen-Deiters' slit. The slit widened and Hensen's cells were pushed laterally. A new space was formed medial to Hensen's cells. Cortilymphatic hydrops developed. CONCLUSION: The Hensen-Deiters' slit is a pathway of a certain staining solution from the scala tympani to inside the organ of Corti of the guinea pig. The influx of the fluid pushes Hensen's cells laterally and upward, resulting in a formation of hydrops of the organ of Corti or cortilymphatic hydrops. The hydrops is observed in animals with experimental perilymphatic fistula and with viral labyrinthitis. At the end stage of the hydrops, only the surface of the organ of Corti remains as a thin layer without any cellular elements.

Finite-element model of the active organ of Corti.

The cochlear amplifier that provides our hearing with its extraordinary sensitivity and selectivity is thought to be the result of an active biomechanical process within the sensory auditory organ, the organ of Corti. Although imaging techniques are developing rapidly, it is not currently possible, in a fully active cochlea, to obtain detailed measurements of the motion of individual elements within a cross section of the organ of Corti. This motion is predicted using a two-dimensional finite-element model. The various solid components are modelled using elastic elements, the outer hair cells (OHCs) as piezoelectric elements and the perilymph and endolymph as viscous and nearly incompressible fluid elements. The model is validated by comparison with existing measurements of the motions within the passive organ of Corti, calculated when it is driven either acoustically, by the fluid pressure or electrically, by excitation of the OHCs. The transverse basilar membrane (BM) motion and the shearing motion between the tectorial membrane and the reticular lamina are calculated for these two excitation modes. The fully active response of the BM to acoustic excitation is predicted using a linear superposition of the calculated responses and an assumed frequency response for the OHC feedback.

Consequences of Location-Dependent Organ of Corti Micro-Mechanics.

The cochlea performs frequency analysis and amplification of sounds. The graded stiffness of the basilar membrane along the cochlear length underlies the frequency-location relationship of the mammalian cochlea. The somatic motility of outer hair cell is central for cochlear amplification. Despite two to three orders of magnitude change in the basilar membrane stiffness, the force capacity of the outer hair cell's somatic motility, is nearly invariant over the cochlear length. It is puzzling how actuators with a constant force capacity can operate under such a wide stiffness range. We hypothesize that the organ of Corti sets the mechanical conditions so that the outer hair cell's somatic motility effectively interacts with the media of traveling waves-the basilar membrane and the tectorial membrane. To test this hypothesis, a computational model of the gerbil cochlea was developed that incorporates organ of Corti structural mechanics, cochlear fluid dynamics, and hair cell electro-physiology. The model simulations showed that the micro-mechanical responses of the organ of Corti are different along the cochlear length. For example, the top surface of the organ of Corti vibrated more than the bottom surface at the basal (high frequency) location, but the amplitude ratio was reversed at the apical (low frequency) location. Unlike the basilar membrane stiffness varying by a factor of 1700 along the cochlear length, the stiffness of the organ of Corti complex felt by the outer hair cell remained between 1.5 and 0.4 times the outer hair cell stiffness. The Y-shaped structure in the organ of Corti formed by outer hair cell, Deiters cell and its phalange was the primary determinant of the elastic reactance imposed on the outer hair cells. The stiffness and geometry of the Deiters cell and its phalange affected cochlear amplification differently depending on the location.

A quantitative morphological analysis of the inner ear of galliform birds.

The function of the inner ear is dependent on its physical structure and there is therefore a strong correspondence between inner ear morphology and hearing capabilities. In this study, we examine the morphology of the inner ear and use this relationship to predict the hearing range and sensitivities of species within the Order Galliformes (chicken, quail and allies). All galliforms share a similar inner ear morphology, which is characterized by gradients in hair cell morphology that are similar to other birds. Most galliforms did have an area of morphologically similar hair cells at the apical end of the BP, indicative of a low frequency specialization. We suggest that, in general, the galliform inner ear is tuned for detecting low frequencies, with most hair cells and more than half of the BP dedicated to frequencies below 1 kHz. Whether this is a specialization or associated with their basal lineage remains to be determined. We also determined that body and brain size are associated with the number of hair cells and basilar papilla length across galliform birds, such that as body size increases, there are correlated increases in BP length and the number of hair cells. Our data therefore corroborate patterns observed across a wide range of bird species and provides significant insight into how species differences in BP morphology evolve and putative relationships with size, vocalizations and life history.

Quantitative polarized light microscopy of unstained mammalian cochlear sections.

Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in the world, and most frequently it originates in the inner ear. Yet, the inner ear has been difficult to access for diagnosis because of its small size, delicate nature, complex three-dimensional anatomy, and encasement in the densest bone in the body. Evolving optical methods are promising to afford cellular diagnosis of pathologic changes in the inner ear. To appropriately interpret results from these emerging technologies, it is important to characterize optical properties of cochlear tissues. Here, we focus on that characterization using quantitative polarized light microscopy (qPLM) applied to unstained cochlear sections of the mouse, a common animal model of human hearing loss. We find that the most birefringent cochlear materials are collagen fibrils and myelin. Retardance of the otic capsule, the spiral ligament, and the basilar membrane are substantially higher than that of other cochlear structures. Retardance of the spiral ligament and the basilar membrane decrease from the cochlear base to the apex, compared with the more uniform retardance of other structures. The intricate structural details revealed by qPLM of unstained cochlear sections ex vivo strongly motivate future application of polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography to human cochlea in vivo.

Inner ear morphological correlates of ultrasonic hearing in frogs.

Three species of anuran amphibians (Odorrana tormota, Odorrana livida and Huia cavitympanum) have recently been found to detect ultrasounds. We employed immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy to examine several morphometrics of the inner ear of these ultrasonically sensitive species. We compared morphological data collected from the ultrasound-detecting species with data from Rana pipiens, a frog with a typical anuran upper cut-off frequency of ∼3 kHz. In addition, we examined the ears of two species of Lao torrent frogs, Odorrana chloronota and Amolops daorum, that live in an acoustic environment approximating those of ultrasonically sensitive frogs. Our results suggest that the three ultrasound-detecting species have converged on small-scale functional modifications of the basilar papilla (BP), the high-frequency hearing organ in the frog inner ear. These modifications include: 1. reduced BP chamber volume, 2. reduced tectorial membrane mass, 3. reduced hair bundle length, and 4. reduced hair cell soma length. While none of these factors on its own could account for the US sensitivity of the inner ears of these species, the combination of these factors appears to extend their hearing bandwidth, and facilitate high-frequency/ultrasound detection. These modifications are also seen in the ears of O. chloronota, suggesting that this species is a candidate for high-frequency hearing sensitivity. These data form the foundation for future functional work probing the physiological bases of ultrasound detection by a non-mammalian ear.

Expression analysis of prestin and selected transcription factors in newborn rats.

Transcription factors (TFs) have a central role to play in regulating gene expression. To analyze the co-expression patterns of selected TFs with the motor protein prestin of the outer hair cells, we applied an real-time PCR approach combining several kinds of information: (i) expression changes during postnatal development, (ii) expression changes by exposure of organotypic cultures of the organ of Corti to factors which significantly affect prestin expression [thyroid hormone (T4), retinoic acid (RA), butyric acid (BA), increased KCl concentration] and (iii) changes along the apical-basal gradient. We found that the mRNA levels of the TF Brn-3c (Pou4f3), a member of the POU family, are significantly associated with the regulation of prestin during postnatal development and in cultures supplemented with T4 (0.5 µM), BA (0.5-2.0 mM), and high KCl (50 mM) concentration. The mRNA level of the constitutively active TF C/ebpb (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta) correlates positively with the prestin expression during postnatal development and in cultures exposed to T4 and RA (50-100 µM). The mRNA levels of the calcium-dependent TF CaRF correlates significantly with the prestin expression in cultures exposed to T4 and high KCl concentration. The observed coexpression patterns may suggest that the TFs Brn-3c, C/ebpb, and Carf contribute to regulating the expression of prestin under the investigated conditions.

Auditory fovea and Doppler shift compensation: adaptations for flutter detection in echolocating bats using CF-FM signals.

Rhythmical modulations in insect echoes caused by the moving wings of fluttering insects are behaviourally relevant information for bats emitting CF-FM signals with a high duty cycle. Transmitter and receiver of the echolocation system in flutter detecting foragers are especially adapted for the processing of flutter information. The adaptations of the transmitter are indicated by a flutter induced increase in duty cycle, and by Doppler shift compensation (DSC) that keeps the carrier frequency of the insect echoes near a reference frequency. An adaptation of the receiver is the auditory fovea on the basilar membrane, a highly expanded frequency representation centred to the reference frequency. The afferent projections from the fovea lead to foveal areas with an overrepresentation of sharply tuned neurons with best frequencies near the reference frequency throughout the entire auditory pathway. These foveal neurons are very sensitive to stimuli with natural and simulated flutter information. The frequency range of the foveal areas with their flutter processing neurons overlaps exactly with the frequency range where DS compensating bats most likely receive echoes from fluttering insects. This tight match indicates that auditory fovea and DSC are adaptations for the detection and evaluation of insects flying in clutter.

Phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography imaging of the tissue motion within the organ of Corti at a subnanometer scale: a preliminary study.

Hearing loss can mean severe impairment to the quality of life. However, the biomechanical mechanisms of how the hearing organ, i.e., the organ of Corti (OC), responds to sound are still elusive, largely because there is currently no means available to image the 3-D motion characteristics of the OC. We present a novel use of the phase-sensitive spectral domain optical coherence tomography (PSOCT) to characterize the motion of cellular compartments within the OC at a subnanometer scale. The PSOCT system operates at 1310 nm with a spatial resolution of ∼16 µm and an imaging speed of 47,000 A-lines/s. The phase changes of the spectral interferograms induced by the localized tissue motion are used to quantify the vibration magnitude. Fourier transform analysis of the phase changes improves the system sensitivity to sense minute vibrations smaller than 1 nm. We demonstrate that the PSOCT system is feasible to image the meaningful vibration of cellular compartments within the OC with an unprecedented sensitivity down to ∼0.5 Å.

Cochlear coordinates in regard to cochlear implantation: a clinically individually applicable 3 dimensional CT-based method.

SETTING: Cochlear implant (CI)/tertiary referral center. SUBJECTS: Twenty-five patients implanted with an Advanced Bionics HiRes90K HiFocus1J CI. STUDY DESIGN/MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A 3-dimensional cylindrical coordinate system is introduced using the basal turn of the cochlea as the x and y planes and the center of the modiolus as the z axis. The 0-degree angle is defined by the most lateral point of the horizontal semicircular canal. It is applied to both preoperative and postoperative computed tomographies in 25 patients. The angular position of the round window is examined. Interobserver reproducibility is tested by localization of all electrode contacts within the coordinate system. To observe realignment over time, electrode coordinates in postoperative images were projected on preoperative images. Additionally, comparison to existing imaging-related coordinate systems was made. RESULTS: The angular position of the center of the round window is 34.6 +/- 0.4 degrees (standard deviation) with an intraclass coefficient of 1.00. The intraclass coefficient for interobserver reproducibility of the 16 electrode contacts ranged from 0.74 to 1 for the rotational angle (phi) and 0.77 to 1 for the distance to the modiolus (rho). In 21 of 25 patients, a perfect match or minimal displacement of up to 3 electrode contacts was seen. Comparison to existing systems showed good correlation. CONCLUSION: A 3-dimensional cochlear coordinate system easily applicable in clinical patients is described, which fulfills the requirements set by an international consensus.