Figure 2: Cochlear structure.
From: KCNK5 channels mostly expressed in cochlear outer sulcus cells are indispensable for hearing
The cochlear morphology is illustrated for a whole cochlear section (b) and for both basal (bt, c,d) and medial (mt, a,e,f) cochlear turns; insets show details of the organ of Corti (Oc) and outer sulcus (Os) epithelial cells. Cochlear components are similar in Kcnk5+/+ (a) and Kcnk5+/− (b) adult mice. In adult at postnatal day 50 (P50, c,d) and juvenile (P21, e) Kcnk5−/− mice, Oc and Os epithelial cells are either altered (c,e) or absent (d); in the adult, the increased neuronal loss in the spiral ganglion (Sg) is correlated with the increased morphological alterations (arrows in c and d, see text for quantification). In contrast, P17 Kcnk5−/− (f) mice present normal cochlear components. Additional abbreviations: Reissner’s membrane (Rm), spiral ligament (Sl), scala media (sm), spiral prominence (Sp), scala tympani (st), stria vascularis (Sv), scala vestibuli (sv). Scale bars, 200 μm (a,c–f); 500 μm (b); 20 μm (insets).
