Abstract
The effects of cryosurgery on the guinea-pig labyrinth as visualized by light and electron microscopy are presented. The material studied was taken from animals in which the intralabyrinthine temperatures were known (Morrison & Lundquist, 1973). Between +18 and + 19°C changes first appear in the mitochondria located in the apical part of hair cells, close to the endolymph. At cooler temperatures intracytoplasmic vacuoles appear, clumping of nuclear chromatin can be seen, and as the changes progress they involve the supporting cells, secretory areas, and connective tissue as well. At even colder levels (+ 4°-+10°C) the epithelium becomes fragmented and lifts away from the connective tissue. However, this debris is cleared away within 4 days and the crista is healed by a layer of flattened supporting cells.
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