Glycocalyx and Ciliary Interconnections of the Human Vestibular End Organs: An Investigation by Scanning Electron Microscopy

Abstract

The ultrastructure of glycocalyx and ciliary interconnections of the human vestibular end organs was investigated in a three-dimensional way by using scanning electron microscopy. The plasma membrane showed a rather rough appearance, which was most prominent in the ciliary membrane of sensory cells. Ciliary interconnections emerged from the plasma membrane and tightly connected neighbouring cilia. The tip links stretched from the tips of the stereocilia to their taller neighbours. These tip links were arranged in the direction of the kinocilium. These findings indicate that the ciliary interconnections may keep the cilia arranged in a bundle and the tip links may be involved in the sensory cell transduction system.