Biomaterial Database

Toadfish saccular hair cell bundle has a preferred orientation in the otolithic membrane. 1990

A Steinacker, and D N Menton, and A Romero

Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.

The macula of the saccule of the toadfish, Opsanus tau, is covered by an otolithic membrane containing sockets into which the stereocilia and kinocilia of the hair cells project. We have found that the hair cell bundle has a distinct eccentric orientation within this space of the otolithic socket. Although the sockets of the otolithic membrane are irregular in shape, all kinocilia are located closet to the same border of the sockets. Since the socket is a fluid or gel filled space through which the hair cell bundle moves, this orientation may have some significance for transduction since it leaves a larger space in the on direction for stereociliary movement.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008855	Microscopy, Electron, Scanning	Microscopy in which the object is examined directly by an electron beam scanning the specimen point-by-point. The image is constructed by detecting the products of specimen interactions that are projected above the plane of the sample, such as backscattered electrons. Although SCANNING TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY also scans the specimen point by point with the electron beam, the image is constructed by detecting the electrons, or their interaction products that are transmitted through the sample plane, so that is a form of TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY.	Scanning Electron Microscopy,Electron Scanning Microscopy,Electron Microscopies, Scanning,Electron Microscopy, Scanning,Electron Scanning Microscopies,Microscopies, Electron Scanning,Microscopies, Scanning Electron,Microscopy, Electron Scanning,Microscopy, Scanning Electron,Scanning Electron Microscopies,Scanning Microscopies, Electron,Scanning Microscopy, Electron
D010037	Otolithic Membrane	A gelatinous membrane overlying the acoustic maculae of SACCULE AND UTRICLE. It contains minute crystalline particles (otoliths) of CALCIUM CARBONATE and protein on its outer surface. In response to head movement, the otoliths shift causing distortion of the vestibular hair cells which transduce nerve signals to the BRAIN for interpretation of equilibrium.	Otoconia,Otoliths,Statoconia,Membrane, Otolithic,Membranes, Otolithic,Otoconias,Otolith,Otolithic Membranes,Statoconias
D005399	Fishes	A group of cold-blooded, aquatic vertebrates having gills, fins, a cartilaginous or bony endoskeleton, and elongated bodies covered with scales.
D006198	Hair Cells, Auditory	Sensory cells in the organ of Corti, characterized by their apical stereocilia (hair-like projections). The inner and outer hair cells, as defined by their proximity to the core of spongy bone (the modiolus), change morphologically along the COCHLEA. Towards the cochlear apex, the length of hair cell bodies and their apical STEREOCILIA increase, allowing differential responses to various frequencies of sound.	Auditory Hair Cells,Cochlear Hair Cells,Auditory Hair Cell,Cell, Cochlear Hair,Cells, Cochlear Hair,Cochlear Hair Cell,Hair Cell, Auditory,Hair Cell, Cochlear,Hair Cells, Cochlear
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012444	Saccule and Utricle	Two membranous sacs within the vestibular labyrinth of the INNER EAR. The saccule communicates with COCHLEAR DUCT through the ductus reuniens, and communicates with utricle through the utriculosaccular duct from which the ENDOLYMPHATIC DUCT arises. The utricle and saccule have sensory areas (acoustic maculae) which are innervated by the VESTIBULAR NERVE.	Otolithic Organs,Utricle,Saccule,Organ, Otolithic,Otolithic Organ,Saccules,Utricle and Saccule,Utricles