Biomaterial Database

[Light and electron microscopy studies of the development of Reissner's membrane in the cochlear duct of guinea pig fetuses]. 1983

L Thorn, and I Schinko, and R Wetzstein

Differentiation of the Reissner's membrane (membrana vestibularis) is described in precisely dated guinea pig fetuses. In newborn and adult animals, the Reissner's membrane consists of two layers of flat cells, an epithelial one and a mesenchymal one, separated by a basement membrane. The epithelial part develops from the initially simple columnar epithelium of the upper wall of the cochlear duct. The mesenchymal part arises from the embryonic connective tissue, which in early developmental stages occupies the space of the later scala vestibuli. The studies show that during fetal life, a mixture of the endolymph of the cochlear duct with the perilymph of the scala vestibuli is prevented by zonulae occludentes between the epithelial cells of Reissner's membrane. On the other hand, even at an early stage an exchange of material between the two fluids is to a small extent possible by means of cytopempsis through the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008566	Membranes	Thin layers of tissue which cover parts of the body, separate adjacent cavities, or connect adjacent structures.	Membrane Tissue,Membrane,Membrane Tissues,Tissue, Membrane,Tissues, Membrane
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D003051	Cochlea	The part of the inner ear (LABYRINTH) that is concerned with hearing. It forms the anterior part of the labyrinth, as a snail-like structure that is situated almost horizontally anterior to the VESTIBULAR LABYRINTH.	Cochleas
D003053	Cochlear Duct	A spiral tube that is firmly suspended in the bony shell-shaped part of the cochlea. This ENDOLYMPH-filled cochlear duct begins at the vestibule and makes 2.5 turns around a core of spongy bone (the modiolus) thus dividing the PERILYMPH-filled spiral canal into two channels, the SCALA VESTIBULI and the SCALA TYMPANI.	Ductus Cochlearis,Scala Media,Cochlear Ducts,Cochlearis, Ductus,Duct, Cochlear,Ducts, Cochlear,Media, Scala,Medias, Scala,Scala Medias
D005333	Fetus	The unborn young of a viviparous mammal, in the postembryonic period, after the major structures have been outlined. In humans, the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after CONCEPTION until BIRTH, as distinguished from the earlier EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN.	Fetal Structures,Fetal Tissue,Fetuses,Mummified Fetus,Retained Fetus,Fetal Structure,Fetal Tissues,Fetus, Mummified,Fetus, Retained,Structure, Fetal,Structures, Fetal,Tissue, Fetal,Tissues, Fetal
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
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