Postnatal structural development of mammalian Basilar Membrane provides anatomical basis for the maturation of tonotopic maps and frequency tuning

The basilar membrane (BM) of the mammalian cochlea constitutes a spiraling acellular ribbon that is intimately attached to the organ of Corti. Its graded stiffness, increasing from apex to the base of the cochlea provides the mechanical basis for sound frequency analysis. Despite its central role in auditory signal transduction, virtually nothing is known about the BM's structural development. Using polarized light microscopy, the present study characterized the architectural transformations of freshly dissected BM at time points during postnatal development and maturation. The results indicate that the BM structural elements increase progressively in size, becoming radially aligned and more tightly packed with maturation and reach the adult structural signature by postnatal day 20 (P20). The findings provide insight into structural details and developmental changes of the mammalian BM, suggesting that BM is a dynamic structure that changes throughout the life of an animal.

Morphological Immaturity of the Neonatal Organ of Corti and Associated Structures in Humans

Although anatomical development of the cochlear duct is thought to be complete by term birth, human newborns continue to show postnatal immaturities in functional measures such as otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). Some of these OAE immaturities are no doubt influenced by incomplete maturation of the external and middle ears in infants; however, the observed prolongation of distortion-product OAE phase-gradient delays in newborns cannot readily be explained by conductive factors. This functional immaturity suggests that the human cochlea at birth may lack fully adult-like traveling-wave motion. In this study, we analyzed temporal-bone sections at the light microscopic level in newborns and adults to quantify dimensions and geometry of cochlear structures thought to influence the mechanical response of the cochlea. Contrary to common belief, results show multiple morphological immaturities along the length of the newborn spiral, suggesting that important refinements in the size and shape of the sensory epithelium and associated structures continue after birth. Specifically, immaturities of the newborn basilar membrane and organ of Corti are consistent with a more compliant and less massive cochlear partition, which could produce longer DPOAE delays and a shifted frequency-place map in the neonatal ear.

The secondary spiral lamina and its relevance in cochlear implant surgery

OBJECTIVE

We used synchrotron radiation phase contrast imaging (SR-PCI) to study the 3D microanatomy of the basilar membrane (BM) and its attachment to the spiral ligament (SL) (with a conceivable secondary spiral lamina [SSL] or secondary spiral plate) at the round window membrane (RWM) in the human cochlea. The conception of this complex anatomy may be essential for accomplishing structural preservation at cochlear implant surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixteen freshly fixed human temporal bones were used to reproduce the BM, SL, primary and secondary osseous spiral laminae (OSL), and RWM using volume-rendering software. Confocal microscopy immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to analyze the molecular constituents.

RESULTS

SR-PCI reproduced the soft tissues including the RWM, Reissner's membrane (RM), and the BM attachment to the lateral wall (LW) in three dimensions. A variable SR-PCI contrast enhancement was recognized in the caudal part of the SL facing the scala tympani (ST). It seemed to represent a SSL allied to the basilar crest (BC). The SSL extended along the postero-superior margin of the round window (RW) and immunohistochemically expressed type II collagen.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike in several mammalian species, the human SSL is restricted to the most basal portion of the cochlea around the RW. It anchors the BM and may influence its hydro-mechanical properties. It could also help to shield the BM from the RW. The microanatomy should be considered at cochlear implant surgery.

Effects of basilar membrane arch and radial tension on the travelling wave in gerbil cochlea

The basilar membrane velocity of gerbil cochlea showed discrepancy between theoretical model and experimental measurements. We hypothesize that the reasons of such discrepancies are due to the arch towards the scala tympani and radial tension present in the basilar membrane of the gerbil cochlea. The arch changes the bending stiffness in the basilar membrane, reduces the effective fluid force on the membrane and increases the basilar membrane's inertia. The existence of the radial tension also dampens the acoustic travelling wave. In this paper, the wave number functions along the gerbil basilar membrane are calculated from experimentally measured physical parameters with the theoretical model as well as extracted from experimentally measured basilar membrane velocity with the wave number inversion formula. The two wave number functions are compared and the effects of the tension and membrane arch on the wave number are studied based on various parameters of the model. We found that the bending stiffness across the gerbil basilar membrane varies (1-2 orders along the cochlea in the section 2.2 mm-3 mm from base) more than the calculated value in the flat basilar membrane model and the radial tension increases the damping of the travelling wave in gerbil cochlea significantly (5 times more than that without radial tension). These effects of arch and radial tension in the basilar membrane elucidate the discrepancy between previous theoretical model and experimental measurements in gerbil cochlea.

Two-compartment passive frequency domain cochlea model allowing independent fluid coupling to the tectorial and basilar membranes

The cochlea is a spiral-shaped, liquid-filled organ in the inner ear that converts sound with high frequency selectivity over a wide pressure range to neurological signals that are eventually interpreted by the brain. The cochlear partition, consisting of the organ of Corti supported below by the basilar membrane and attached above to the tectorial membrane, plays a major role in the frequency analysis. In early fluid-structure interaction models of the cochlea, the mechanics of the cochlear partition were approximated by a series of single-degree-of-freedom systems representing the distributed stiffness and mass of the basilar membrane. Recent experiments suggest that the mechanical properties of the tectorial membrane may also be important for the cochlea frequency response and that separate waves may propagate along the basilar and tectorial membranes. Therefore, a two-dimensional two-compartment finite difference model of the cochlea was developed to investigate the independent coupling of the basilar and tectorial membranes to the surrounding liquid. Responses are presented for models using two- or three-degree-of-freedom stiffness, damping, and mass parameters derived from a physiologically based finite element model of the cochlear partition. Effects of changes in membrane and organ of Corti stiffnesses on the individual membrane responses are investigated.

Quantitative polarized light microscopy of unstained mammalian cochlear sections

Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in the world, and most frequently it originates in the inner ear. Yet, the inner ear has been difficult to access for diagnosis because of its small size, delicate nature, complex three-dimensional anatomy, and encasement in the densest bone in the body. Evolving optical methods are promising to afford cellular diagnosis of pathologic changes in the inner ear. To appropriately interpret results from these emerging technologies, it is important to characterize optical properties of cochlear tissues. Here, we focus on that characterization using quantitative polarized light microscopy (qPLM) applied to unstained cochlear sections of the mouse, a common animal model of human hearing loss. We find that the most birefringent cochlear materials are collagen fibrils and myelin. Retardance of the otic capsule, the spiral ligament, and the basilar membrane are substantially higher than that of other cochlear structures. Retardance of the spiral ligament and the basilar membrane decrease from the cochlear base to the apex, compared with the more uniform retardance of other structures. The intricate structural details revealed by qPLM of unstained cochlear sections ex vivo strongly motivate future application of polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography to human cochlea in vivo.

Dual traveling waves in an inner ear model with two degrees of freedom

We calculate traveling waves in the mammalian cochlea, which transduces acoustic vibrations into neural signals. We use a WKB-based mechanical model with both the tectorial membrane (TM) and basilar membrane (BM) coupled to the fluid to calculate motions along the length of the cochlea. This approach generates two wave numbers that manifest as traveling waves with different modes of motion between the BM and TM. The waves add differently on each mass, producing distinct tuning curves and different characteristic frequencies (CFs) for the TM and the BM. We discuss the effect of TM stiffness and coupling on the waves and tuning curves. We also consider how the differential motions between the masses could influence the cochlear amplifier and how mode conversion could take place in the cochlea.

A computational model of human auditory signal processing and perception

A model of computational auditory signal-processing and perception that accounts for various aspects of simultaneous and nonsimultaneous masking in human listeners is presented. The model is based on the modulation filterbank model described by Dau et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 102, 2892 (1997)] but includes major changes at the peripheral and more central stages of processing. The model contains outer- and middle-ear transformations, a nonlinear basilar-membrane processing stage, a hair-cell transduction stage, a squaring expansion, an adaptation stage, a 150-Hz lowpass modulation filter, a bandpass modulation filterbank, a constant-variance internal noise, and an optimal detector stage. The model was evaluated in experimental conditions that reflect, to a different degree, effects of compression as well as spectral and temporal resolution in auditory processing. The experiments include intensity discrimination with pure tones and broadband noise, tone-in-noise detection, spectral masking with narrow-band signals and maskers, forward masking with tone signals and tone or noise maskers, and amplitude-modulation detection with narrow- and wideband noise carriers. The model can account for most of the key properties of the data and is more powerful than the original model. The model might be useful as a front end in technical applications.

Gerbil middle-ear sound transmission from 100 Hz to 60 kHz

Middle-ear sound transmission was evaluated as the middle-ear transfer admittance H(MY) (the ratio of stapes velocity to ear-canal sound pressure near the umbo) in gerbils during closed-field sound stimulation at frequencies from 0.1 to 60 kHz, a range that spans the gerbil's audiometric range. Similar measurements were performed in two laboratories. The H(MY) magnitude (a) increased with frequency below 1 kHz, (b) remained approximately constant with frequency from 5 to 35 kHz, and (c) decreased substantially from 35 to 50 kHz. The H(MY) phase increased linearly with frequency from 5 to 35 kHz, consistent with a 20-29 micros delay, and flattened at higher frequencies. Measurements from different directions showed that stapes motion is predominantly pistonlike except in a narrow frequency band around 10 kHz. Cochlear input impedance was estimated from H(MY) and previously-measured cochlear sound pressure. Results do not support the idea that the middle ear is a lossless matched transmission line. Results support the ideas that (1) middle-ear transmission is consistent with a mechanical transmission line or multiresonant network between 5 and 35 kHz and decreases at higher frequencies, (2) stapes motion is pistonlike over most of the gerbil auditory range, and (3) middle-ear transmission properties are a determinant of the audiogram.

Psychophysical estimates of level-dependent best-frequency shifts in the apical region of the human basilar membrane

It is now undisputed that the best frequency (BF) of basal basilar-membrane (BM) sites shifts downwards as the stimulus level increases. The direction of the shift for apical sites is, by contrast, less well established. Auditory nerve studies suggest that the BF shifts in opposite directions for apical and basal BM sites with increasing stimulus level. This study attempts to determine if this is the case in humans. Psychophysical tuning curves (PTCs) were measured using forward masking for probe frequencies of 125, 250, 500, and 6000 Hz. The level of a masker tone required to just mask a fixed low-level probe tone was measured for different masker-probe time intervals. The duration of the intervals was adjusted as necessary to obtain PTCs for the widest possible range of masker levels. The BF was identified from function fits to the measured PTCs and it almost always decreased with increasing level. This result is inconsistent with most auditory-nerve observations obtained from other mammals. Several explanations are discussed, including that it may be erroneous to assume that low-frequency PTCs reflect the tuning of apical BM sites exclusively and that the inherent frequency response of the inner hair cell may account for the discrepancy.

Basilar membrane tension calculations for the gerbil cochlea

Anatomical studies suggest that the basilar membrane (BM) supports a radial tension, which is potentially important in cochlear mechanics. Assuming that the tension exists, we have calculated its magnitude from measurements of BM stiffness, longitudinal coupling, and geometry using a BM model. Results for the gerbil cochlea show that the tension decreases from the base to the apex of the cochlea and generates a tensile stress that is comparable in magnitude to the stress generated in other physiological systems. The model calculations are augmented by experiments that investigate the source of BM tension. The experimental results suggest that BM tension is maintained by the spiral ligament.

The cochleogram of the guinea pig

The cochleogram is an important tool to relate properties of the cochlea (e.g. hair cell loss, damaged hair cells) to their position in the cochlear turns, to calculate the average hair cell density, and to measure the length of the whole cochlea. In this work different methods of plotting cochleograms are compared. We suggest that a sector-wise division of the cochlea for counting a cochleogram has advantages over line diagrams that provide a higher spatial resolution but might lead to misinterpretations of the degree of missing hair cells. The scanning electron microscopic analysis of 171 guinea pig cochleas revealed a mean basilar membrane length of 16.4 +/- 1.4 mm (mean +/- standard deviation) with sector lengths of 6.9, 4.2, 3.2, and 1.9 mm, thus adding relevant information to the morphology of the guinea pig cochlea.

Cochlea's graded curvature effect on low frequency waves

In the ear, sound waves are processed by a membrane of graded mechanical properties that resides in the fluid-filled spiral cochlea. The role of stiffness grading as a Fourier analyzer is well known, but the role of the curvature has remained elusive. Here, we report that increasing curvature redistributes wave energy density towards the cochlea's outer wall, affecting the shape of waves propagating on the membrane, particularly in the region where low frequency sounds are processed.

Developing a Physical Model of the Human Cochlea Using Microfabrication Methods

Advances in micro-machining technology have provided the opportunity to explore possibilities of creating life-sized physical models of the cochlea. The physical model of the cochlea consists of two fluid-filled channels separated by an elastic partition. The partition is micro-machined from silicon and uses a 36-mm linearly tapered polyimide plate with a width of 100 microm at the basal end and 500 microm at the apex to represent the basilar membrane. Thicknesses from 1 to 5 microm have been fabricated. Discrete aluminum fibers (1.5 microm in width) are machined to create direction-dependent properties. A 0.5 x 0.5 mm opening represents the helicotrema. The fluid channels are machined from plexiglas using conventional machining methods. A magnet-coil system excites the fluid channel. Measurements on a model with thickness 4.75 microm show a velocity gain of 4 and phase of 3.5 pi radians at a location 23 mm from the base. Mathematical modeling using a 3-D formulation confirm the general characteristics of the measured response.

A self-mixing laser-diode interferometer for measuring basilar membrane vibrations without opening the cochlea

A laser-diode forms the basis of a displacement sensitive homodyne interferometer suitable for measurements from poorly reflective surfaces. The compact and cost-effective interferometer utilizes the self-mixing effect when laser light reflected from a moving target re-enters the laser cavity and causes phase dependent changes of the lasing intensity. A piezo positioner was used to displace the interferometer with known frequency and amplitude as a basis for real-time calibration of the interferometer's sensitivity. The signal-processing algorithm is described that allows measurements in presence of high amplitude noise leading to variation of the interferometer's operating point. Measurements of sound-induced basilar membrane displacements were made in the intact cochleae of rodents by focusing the laser beam of the interferometer through the transparent round window membrane. The interferometer provides a viable means for making subnanometre mechanical measurements from structures in the inner ears of small mammals, where opening of the cochlea is not practicable.

Two modes of motion of the alligator lizard cochlea: measurements and model predictions

Measurements of motion of an in vitro preparation of the alligator lizard basilar papilla in response to sound demonstrate elliptical trajectories. These trajectories are consistent with the presence of both a translational and rotational mode of motion. The translational mode is independent of frequency, and the rotational mode has a displacement peak near 5 kHz. These measurements can be explained by a simple mechanical system in which the basilar papilla is supported asymmetrically on the basilar membrane. In a quantitative model, the translational admittance is compliant while the rotational admittance is second order. Best-fit model parameters are consistent with estimates based on anatomy and predict that fluid flow across hair bundles is a primary source of viscous damping. The model predicts that the rotational mode contributes to the high-frequency slopes of auditory nerve fiber tuning curves, providing a physical explanation for a low-pass filter required in models of this cochlea. The combination of modes makes the sensitivity of hair bundles more uniform with radial position than that which would result from pure rotation. A mechanical analogy with the organ of Corti suggests that these two modes of motion may also be present in the mammalian cochlea.

The guide to plotting a cochleogram

The cochleogram is commonly used for illustrating hair cell loss after insult, yet standardized procedures for plotting either individual or averaged cochleograms are lacking despite more than 40 years of use. Due to the intra-species variation in basilar membrane (BM) length, it is important that length is plotted on the cochleogram in percent and not millimeter. It is also of interest to correlate the location of lesion to frequency by using a frequency-place equation. However, there is no consensus as which equation is most suitable for the species under study. This is an important issue since two different equations can result in significantly different frequency-place maps for the same cochlea. The purpose of this presentation is to suggest procedures for standardizing the cochleogram. The guidelines include: (i) basilar membrane length should be plotted as percent instead of millimeter due to the biological variation that exists in BM length within a particular species and strain, and the total length in millimeter stated on the cochleogram; (ii) the equations used for frequency-place maps should be stated on the cochleogram; (iii) different basilar membrane lengths should be normalized to percent before averaged cochleograms are made. These procedures are illustrated and discussed.

Cochlear development: hair cells don their wigs and get wired

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons form functional pairings in the cochlea that transduce the mechanical energy of sound into signals that are carried to the brainstem. Mutations of genes affecting the development and maintenance of these two cell populations cause deafness in humans and other animals. This review highlights recent findings regarding the development of hair cell stereocilia and spiral ganglion neurons in the cochlea.

RECENT FINDINGS

Genes underlying Usher syndrome 1A have shed light on possible molecular participants in the development and structure of the hair cell stereocilia. Analysis of deaf mouse mutants have uncovered genes involved in stereocilia elongation and the orientation of the stereociliary bundles. Studies on the regulation of spiral ganglion neuronal survival and guidance suggest that the timing of expression of specific growth factors along the cochlear spiral is involved in maintaining the divergence of vestibular and cochlear nerve fibers.

SUMMARY

Examining human and mouse genes affecting hearing has not only provided insight into causes of human deafness, but has also opened a window into how stereociliary bundles are constructed and spiral ganglion neurons are preserved and guided during development. Synthesis of information from diverse lines of research pinpoints genes for screening or repair in the genetic medicine of the future and dramatizes the intimate relationship between strict adherence to complex developmental programs and hearing. In addition, future improvements in the efficacy of cochlear implants may depend on the preservation and manipulation of adult spiral ganglion neurons. Developmental mechanisms promise to yield insight into possible interventions to redirect or reconnect spiral ganglion neurons in damaged cochlea.

[Optic coherent tomography: a new high-resolution technology of visualization of tissue structures. Communication II. Optical images of benign and malignant entities]

This is the second communication of a series of publications on Russian studies in the field of optical coherent tomography (OCT), the newest noninvasive highly resolving technology of visualization of the structure of biological tissues. By using the investing tissues as an example, this paper demonstrates the universal types of changes in their optical properties. Optimal images permit differentiate benign and malignant processes with a high degree of diagnostic accuracy. Diverse benign processes occurring in the epithelium are detected on the OCT images as changes in its height, the scattering properties and stroke of a basilar membrane. The absence of any structure on the image is the main OCT criterion for malignancy. The diagnostic efficiency of OCT is high in recognizing neoplasia of various mucous membranes: the sensitivity of the technique is 77-98%; its specificity and diagnostic accuracy are 71-96 and 81-87%, respectively.

Basic maps in the auditory midbrain

Topologic maps at consecutive levels of sensory pathways indicate behaviorally relevant features of stimuli at increasing degrees of complexity. In the auditory system, except for tonotopic maps, the nature of represented features is unknown. In a model analogous to visual map formation we show that in the auditory midbrain, layers of neurons with preference to the same frequency (isofrequency planes) may hold maps of two basic, mutually orthogonal parameters--instantaneous amplitude and phase--of basilar membrane displacement at the cochlear location responding to that frequency. The proposed neural tuning to frequency, amplitude, and phase implies that sound is transformed into specific temporal trajectories of neural activation, with consequences for experimental design and interpretation of neural response behavior.

Anatomical differences in the peripheral auditory system of mammals and man. A mini review

The major anatomical differences among animal models and man are briefly reviewed. Differences are described in the length and width of the basilar membrane, the number of inner (IHCs) and outer hair cells (OHCs), and the length of cilia on both cell types. Significant differences in the innervation pattern of the IHCs among these species include the number of afferent nerve terminals per IHC, the degree of branching of afferent fibers and the number of synapses per afferent nerve terminal. At the OHCs, the number of afferent and efferent nerve terminals, the presence or absence of presynaptic bodies, reciprocal synapses and the presence of dendrodendritic synapses in the outer spiral bundles may have important physiological functions. In the cochlear nerve, significant differences are described in the number of spiral ganglion cells (SGCs) and cochlear nerve fibers. Furthermore the percentage of myelinated SGCs and the presence of synapses on SGCs varies enormously.

Cochlear dimensions obtained in hemicochleae of four different strains of mice: CBA/CaJ, 129/CD1, 129/SvEv and C57BL/6J

Because homologies between mice and human genomes are well established and hereditary abnormalities are similar in both, mice present a valuable animal model to study hereditary hearing disorders in humans. One of the manifestations of hereditary hearing disorders might be in the structure of cochlear elements, such as the gross morphology of the cochlea. Cochlear dimensions, however, are one factor that determines inner ear mechanics and thus hearing function. Therefore, gross cochlear dimension might be important when different strains of mice are compared regarding their hearing. Although several studies have examined mouse inner ear structures on a sub-cellular level, only few have studied cochlear gross morphology. Moreover, the sparse data available were acquired from fixed and dehydrated tissue. Dehydration, however, produces severe distortion of gel-like cochlear structures such as the tectorial membrane and the basilar membrane hyaline matrix. In this study, the hemicochlea technique, which allows fresh mouse cochlear material to be viewed from a radial perspective, was used to provide an itemized study of the dimensions of gross cochlear structures in four mouse strains (CBA/CaJ, 129/SvEv, 129/CD1 and C57BL/6J). Except for the CBA/CaJ, these strains are known to possess genes for age-related hearing loss. The measurements showed no major differences among the four strains. However, when compared with previous data, the thickness measures of the basilar membrane were up to 10 times larger. Such differences are likely to result from the different techniques used to process the material. The hemicochlea technique eliminates much of the distortion caused by dehydration, which was present in previous experiments.

Basilar membrane vibration in the basal turn of the sensitive gerbil cochlea

The basal membrane (BM) velocity responses to pure tones were measured using a newly developed laser interferometer microscope that does not require placing a reflecting object on the BM. It was demonstrated that the instrument is able to measure sub-nanometer vibration from the cochlear partition in the basal turn of the gerbil. The overall shape of the amplitude spectra shows typical tuning features. The 'best' frequencies (BFs) for the BM locations studied were between 14 kHz and 27 kHz, depending on the longitudinal position. For a given BM location, tuning sharpness was input level dependent, indicated by the Q(10dB), which varied from approximately 3 at low stimulus levels to near 1.5 at high input levels. At frequencies below BF, parallel amplitude/frequency curves across stimulus levels indicate a linear growth function. However, at frequencies near BF, the velocity increased linearly at low levels (<40 dB SPL) and became compressed between 40 and 50 dB SPL. Although the velocity gain for the frequency range below BF was a function of frequency, for a given frequency the gains were approximately constant across different levels. At frequencies near BF, the velocity gain at low sound pressure level was greater than that at a high sound pressure level, indicating a nonlinear negative relationship to stimulus level. The data also showed that the BF shifts toward the low frequencies with stimulus intensity increase. The phase spectra showed two important features: (1) at frequencies about half octave below the BF, phase slope is very small, indicating an extremely short delay; (2) the greatest phase lag occurs at frequencies near the BF, indicating a significant delay near this frequency range.

Timing of cochlear feedback: spatial and temporal representation of a tone across the basilar membrane

Electromotile outer hair cell (OHC) feedback provides the sensitivity and sharp frequency tuning of the cochlea. Basilar membrane displacements in response to characteristic frequency (CF) tones were measured with an interferometer at up to 15 locations across the basilar membrane width in the basal turn of the guinea pig cochlea. For CF tones, basilar membranes vibrations were largest beneath the OHCs; these phase-led vibrations beneath outer pillar cells and adjacent to the spiral ligament by approximately 90 degrees. Post mortem, responses measured beneath the OHCs were reduced by up to 65 dB, and the basilar membrane moved with similar phase across its entire width. We suggest OHCs amplify basilar membrane responses to CF tones when the basilar membrane moves at maximum velocity.

Response phase: a view from the inner hair cell

Inner hair cell (IHC) responses are recorded from the apical three turns of the guinea pig cochlea in order to define the relationship between hair cell depolarization and position of the basilar membrane. At low frequencies, inner hair cell depolarization is generally observed near basilar membrane velocity to scala vestibuli, reflecting the putative freestanding nature of the IHC's stereocilia. While this is consistent with previous IHC results, independent of location, and with neural responses for fibers with low best frequencies, it is inconsistent with single-unit results from the base of the cochlea, where response phase is associated with basilar membrane velocity to scala tympani. Results suggest that the temporal disparity between IHC and neural data from the base of the cochlea may relate to several factors that influence transmembrane voltage in IHCs. First, extracellular voltages (Ingvarsson, 1981; Sellick et al., 1982; Russell and Sellick, 1983) can potentially affect low- and high-frequency regions differently because electrical interactions are more likely in the base of the cochlea than in the apex (Dallos, 1983, 1985). Second, waveform distortion and kinetic properties associated with voltage-dependent ion channels in the IHC's basolateral membrane can both influence response phase by adding harmonic components and lagging the receptor potential by as much as 90 deg. Third, the velocity dependence of IHCs in the apex appears to extend to higher frequencies than the velocity dependence demonstrated for IHCs in the base of the cochlea. These features, which influence the timing of discharges in the auditory nerve, are compared and evaluated.

Postnatal development of the organ of Corti in cats: a light microscopic morphometric study

This study quantitatively characterizes the development of the major morphological features of the organ of Corti during the first 2 weeks postnatal, the period when the cat auditory system makes the transition from being essentially non-functional to having nearly adult-like responses. Four groups of kittens (n = 3) were studied at one day postnatal (P1), P5, P10, P15, and compared to adults. Measurements were made of the organ of Corti at 3 cochlear locations: 20%, 60% and 85% of basilar membrane length from the base cochlear locations which in the adult correspond to best frequencies of approximately 20 kHz, 2 kHz and 500 Hz, respectively. In addition, measurements of basilar membrane length and opening of the tunnel of Corti were made in 20 cochlear specimens from kittens aged P0-P6. Results indicate that: (i) at P0 the basilar membrane has attained adult length, and the tunnel of Corti is open over approximately the basal one-half of the cochlea; (ii) the initial opening of the tunnel of Corti occurs at a site about 4 mm from the cochlear base (best frequency of approximately 25 kHz in the adult cochlea); (iii) the thickness of the tympanic cell layer decreases markedly at the basal 20-kHz location; (iv) the areas of the tunnel of Corti and space of Nuel and the angulation of the inner hair cells (IHC) relative to the basilar membrane all show marked postnatal increases at both the middle and apical locations; (v) IHC are nearly adult-like in length and shape at birth, whereas the OHC (at 2-kHz and 500-Hz locations) undergo marked postnatal changes; (vi) disappearance of the marginal pillars and maturation of the supporting cells are not yet complete by P15.

Fine structure of the basilar papilla of the emu: implications for the evolution of avian hair-cell types

The morphology of the basilar papilla of the emu was investigated quantitatively with light and scanning electron microscopical techniques. The emu is a member of the Paleognathae, a group of flightless birds that represent the most primitive living avian species. The comparison of the emu papilla with that of other, more advanced birds provides insights into the evolution of the avian papilla. The morphology of the emu papilla is that of an unspecialised bird, but shows the full range of features previously shown to be typical for the avian basilar papilla. For example, the orientation of the hair cells' sensitive axes varied in characteristic fashion both along and across the papilla. Many of the quantitative details correlate well with the representation of predominantly low frequencies along the papilla. The most distinctive features were an unusually high density of hair cells and an unusual tallness of the hair-cell bodies. This suggests that the evolution of morphologically very short hair cells, which are a hallmark of avian papillae, is a recent development in evolution. The small degree of differentiation in hair-cell size contrasts with the observation that a significant number of hair cells in the emu lack afferent innervation. It is therefore suggested that the development of functionally different hair-cell types in birds preceded the differentiation into morphologically tall and short hair cells.

Morphology of the unfixed cochlea

Our knowledge of cochlear geometry is based largely upon anatomical observations derived from fixed, dehydrated, embedded and/or sputter-coated material. We have now developed a novel preparation, the hemicochlea, where for the first time living cochlear structures can be observed in situ and from a radial perspective. The experiments were performed on the Mongolian gerbil. Ion substitution experiments suggest that no significant swelling or shrinkage occurs when the preparation is bathed in normal culture medium, so long as calcium concentration is kept at endolymph-like (20 microM) levels. The tectorial membrane-reticular lamina relationship appears to remain well preserved. Hensen's stripe maintains a close relationship with the inner hair cell stereociliary bundle, unless the mechanical coupling becomes disturbed. In addition, standard fixation and/or dehydration procedures are used to quantify changes due to shrinkage artifacts. Various morphometric gradients are examined in unfixed specimens from apical, middle, and basal turns.

Measurement of guinea pig basilar membrane using computer-aided three-dimensional reconstruction system

Cochleas are known to have the ability to analyze a frequency widely, and this ability seems to be owed mostly to the basilar membrane (BM) configuration. However, the relationship between the cochlear frequency-position map and the BM configuration is not clear. Therefore, in this paper, the internal structures of a guinea pig cochlea, especially the BM configuration, were reconstructed and measured using a computer-aided three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction system. Then, an attempt was made to examine the influence of the BM configuration on the cochlear frequency-position map. The measurement results indicate that the width of the BM increased and its thickness decreased with an increase in the distance from the basal turn towards the apical turn. Theoretical consideration reveals that the wide frequency-position of the cochlea is achieved by not only the BM configuration change along the length of the cochlea but also the change of the Young's modulus of the BM along the length of the cochlea.

Vibration of reflective beads placed on the basilar membrane

Most investigators place reflective beads on the basilar membrane to measure its vibration with optical methods. It is therefore important to find out if the beads faithfully follow the motion of the structures on which they are placed. Vibration of the beads on the basilar membrane and basilar membrane adjacent to the beads are measured in the third turn of the guinea pig cochlea in a temporal bone preparation. It is shown that the beads do not follow the motion of the organ. The mechanism by which this departure may occur is investigated by modeling the motion of the beads on the Claudius' cells.

[In vivo cochleoscopy through the round window]

The overall aim of the present investigation was to develop a technique for endoscopic investigation of the cochlea. In the experiments reported here, the possible effect of the endoscope-called the "cochleoscope"-on the electrophysiology of the cochlea was investigated by recording the cochlear action potential (CAP) threshold tuning curve from (0.1-34 kHz). The dorsolateral bulla of anesthesized guinea pigs (with ketamine 60 mg/kg and Rompun 12 mg/kg) was opened, after which the cochleoscope was introduced under micromanipulator control through the round window membrane. Three cochleoscopes were used and had diameters of 0.29 mm, 0.7 mm and 0.89 mm, respectively, containing 2000, 3000 and 3000 fibers each. Experiments in 7 animals showed that the cochleoscope did not influence CAP thresholds. Although the present resolution of the endoscopes is limited, the basilar membrane can be clearly distinguished from the osseous spiral lamina. It is anticipated that improved resolution will allow the cochleoscope to be used for diagnostic purposes in cases of sensorineural hearing loss.

Anatomical correlates of the passive properties underlying the developmental shift in the frequency map of the mammalian cochlea

As the cochlea develops, the cells in the basal cochlea become sensitive to progressively higher frequencies. To identify features of cochlear morphology that may underlie the place code shift, measurements of infant and adult gerbil cochleas were made at both the light and electron microscopic levels. The measurements included areas of the cochlear duct, basilar membrane, and organ of Corti, height and width of the basilar membrane, thickness of the tympanic cover layer, thickness of the upper and lower basilar membrane fiber bands, and optical density of the basilar membrane. The results indicated that basilar membrane dimensions do not change as the place code shifts and that regions that code for the roughly the same frequency (e.g., approximately 11.2 kHz) at different ages can have basilar membranes of very different dimensions. In contrast, the size of the organ of Corti and the thickness of fiber bands inside the basilar membrane do change in ways consistent with the shift in the frequency map.

A cochlear model using feed-forward outer-hair-cell forces

A linear (frequency-domain) model of the cat cochlea (implemented in both 1- and 2-dimensional versions) has been developed which uses outer hair cell (OHC) forces in a geometry which includes the longitudinal (base-to-apex) tilt of the outer hair cells (OHCs). When positive (contractile) real OHC force-constants are used, very large (50 + dB) response peaks along with very rapidly accumulating phase lags (which can reach -50 pi radians) are obtained. The wider the longitudinal segmentation, the broader the peaks and the less the phase accumulation; 71-microns segmentation produced the most realistic responses. These large response peaks are achieved by a small zone of negative resistance (ca. 1 mm) just basal to the response peak and the virtual 'zeroing' of the basilar membrane's effective impedance over the entire peak region (ca. 2.5 mm). To produce these peaks, the OHCs generate about 25-times the incoming acoustic power. Inclusion of low-pass filtering in the model's OHC representation produces, by contrast, very unrealistic notch-and-peak displacement complexes accompanied by very large phase lags, for all segmentation widths used. However, when phase reversals of OHC forces are also added, achieved by imbedding a resonant system within the tectorial membrane, very realistic peaks and phase functions are produced. More power must, however, be generated by the OHCs (about 70-times the incoming). The end result is output which mimics quite closely the living basilar membrane's responses to low-intensity high-frequency tones.

Morphological correlates of auditory sensitivity in anuran amphibians

It is largely unknown how the presence and morphology of various auditory structures, including extratympanic structures, affect auditory sensitivity in anuran amphibians. This study examines body size, tympanum size, the presence versus absence of the tympanum, the 'external' versus 'internal' status of the tympanum, and the amphibian and basilar papilla (AP and BP) hair cell counts, as they relate to physiological estimates of auditory sensitivity, within both AP- and BP-sensitive frequency ranges. The BP sensitivity is positively correlated with tympanum area, which is positively correlated with body size. The AP sensitivity is also correlated with body size, perhaps through mediation by extratympanic factors. Tympanum presence affects only BP sensitivity, whereas the external/internal status of the tympanum is irrelevant. Lastly, AP hair cell count correlates with AP sensitivity, irrespective of possible sensory convergence effects.

Quantitative anatomical basis for a model of micromechanical frequency tuning in the Tokay gecko, Gekko gecko

The basilar papilla of the Tokay gecko was studied with standard light- and scanning electron microscopy methods. Several parameters thought to be of particular importance for the mechanical response properties of the system were quantitatively measured, separately for the three different hair-cell areas that are typical for this lizard family. In the basal third, papillar structure was very uniform. The apical two-thirds are subdivided into two hair-cell areas running parallel to each other along the papilla and covered by very different types of tectorial material. Both of those areas showed prominent gradients in hair-cell bundle morphology, i.e., in the height of the stereovillar bundles and the number of stereovilli per bundle, as well as in hair cell density and the size of their respective tectorial covering. Based on the direction of the observed anatomical gradients, a 'reverse' tonotopic organization is suggested, with the highest frequencies represented at the apical end.

A model of frequency tuning in the basilar papilla of the Tokay gecko, Gekko gecko

This paper uses the quantitative details of the anatomy of the auditory papilla in the Tokay gecko Gekko gecko (as described in the companion paper) to make a quantitative model predicting the tonotopic organization of two of the three papillar areas. Assuming that hair-cell bundle stiffness is similar to that of other species, a model of resonance frequencies for the apical areas of the papilla was constructed, taking into account factors such as the number of hair cells per resonant unit, their bundle dimensions, the volume of the tectorial mass, etc. The model predicts that the apical pre- and postaxial areas, although anatomically adjacent, respond to different frequency ranges, a phenomenon not yet reported from any vertebrate. The model predicts that together, these areas respond best to frequencies between 1.1 and 5.3 kHz, close to the range found physiologically [Eatock et al. (1981) J. Comp. Physiol. 142, 203-218] (0.8 to 5 kHz) for the high-frequency range for this species. Only physiological experiments tracing responses to specific papillar nerve fibres can confirm or refute these interesting predictions of the model. The model also indicates that, compared to free-standing hair-cell bundles, the semi-isolated tectorial structures called sallets not only lower the range of characteristic frequencies but also increase the frequency selectivity of the attached hair cells.

Tuned hair cells for hearing, but tuned basilar membrane for overload protection: evidence from dolphins, bats, and desert rodents

A cochlear model is presented suggesting that the organ of Corti (OC) and the basilar membrane (BM) are both tuned resonant systems, but have different functions. The OC provides frequency filtering and amplification by means of tuned outer hair cells. The BM provides resonant absorption of excessive vibrational energy as an overload protection for vulnerable elements in the OC. Evidence supporting this model is demonstrated in dolphins, bats, and desert rodents. Specialized auditory capabilities correlate with cochlear deviations, some of them dramatically changing BM compliance. In characteristic regions along the cochlea there are BM thickenings and, on both sides of the OC, hypertrophied supporting cells. Structures of striking similarity have evolved independently across orders or families, revealing multiple events of convergent evolution. In all cases, the locations of deviating structures rule out a BM function in auditory frequency selectivity but support one in resonant absorption. Cochlear microphonics and BM responses demonstrate strongest high-level absorption in the frequency bands most vital for the tested species. The assumed cause is increased internal damping in the enlarged structures during BM motion. Species with intermediate specializations supply further evidence that resonant absorption is universally the genuine function of BM mechanics in mammals, providing complementary high-level protection of low-level sensitivity.

Measurement of cochlear basilar membrane traveling wave velocity by derived ABR

Auditory brainstem response (ABR) can be used to measure the basilar membrane traveling wave velocity (TWV). Traveling wave velocity was calculated from the latency difference between wave V of different derived ABR and the cochlear location distance between the appropriate derived band center frequency. The latency of wave V of derived ABR produced by 6 noise-masked ABR using high pass filtered noise and the location of the corresponding cochlear partition (distance from the stapes foot-plate) were measured, and five traveling wave velocities were estimated based on this parameter. Ten subjects with normal hearing, 7 patients with Meniere's disease, and 8 patients with sensorineural hearing loss were used in this study. The traveling wave velocity in the sensorineural hearing loss group was within normal limits at all frequencies, whereas the traveling wave velocity at 8 kHz in the Meniere group greatly exceeded that of the normal and sensorineural hearing loss group.

Cochlear place-frequency map in the marsupial Monodelphis domestica

In order to determine the place-frequency map of the cochlea in the marsupial Monodelphis domestica, iontophoretic HRP-injections were made at several locations in the ventral cochlear nucleus. Prior to iontophoresis the auditory neurons at these locations were characterized electrophysiologically. The resulting distribution of retrogradely labeled cochlear spiral ganglion cells was analysed by means of a three dimensional reconstruction of the cochlea. The map was established for frequencies between 2.4 and 44.5 kHz, corresponding to positions between 95 to 14% of basilar membrane length (base = 0%). The maximum slope amounted to 1.8 mm/octave. Over the basal-most 60% of the cochlea the slope of the place-frequency map was larger than 1.5 mm/octave, further apically the slope rapidly decreased to values below 0.8 mm/octave. The shape of the cochlear place-frequency map is similar to that described in placental mammals.

A traveling-wave amplifier model of the cochlea

A two-mode model of the cochlea that uses active intermode feedback has been developed that quantitatively accounts for the motion of the basilar membrane in response to single tones and qualitatively accounts for cochlear emission phenomena. In contrast to existing single-mode models, this model amplifies the mechanical traveling wave in spatially localized cochlear regions where an approximate match occurs between the traveling-wave velocities of each of the two traveling-wave lines or modes.

Postnatal development of the rat organ of Corti. I. General morphology, basilar membrane, tectorial membrane and border cells

The development of the rat organ of Corti was studied during the first postnatal weeks. The temporal and the spatial patterns of cochlear development were investigated between 4 and 24 days after birth by means of semi-thin sections at approx. ten equidistant positions along the entire cochlear duct. At all examined positions width, thickness and cross sectional area of basilar membrane, cross-sectional area of tectorial membrane, of cells of Hensen, Claudius and Boettcher and of the organ of Corti were quantitatively analyzed. The most conspicuous maturational changes occur between 8 and 12 days after birth. These are the detachment of the tectorial membrane, the first appearance of filaments within the basilar membrane, the formation of the tunnel of Corti and the opening of the inner spiral sulcus. Quantitative analysis revealed that structures of a given position along the cochlear duct do not develop synchronously. Width of the basilar membrane and cross-sectional area of the tectorial membrane are already mature at the onset of hearing (10-12 days after birth). Length, thickness and cross-sectional area of the basilar membrane as well as cross-sectional area of the organ of Corti and of the cells of Hensen, Claudius and Boettcher still develop after the onset of hearing (up to 20-24 days after birth). We suggest that basic cochlear function is established by structures which are mature before the onset of hearing. Cochlear structures which develop after the onset of hearing might be involved in this improvement during this period.

Specializations for sharp tuning in the mustached bat: the tectorial membrane and spiral limbus

The sense of hearing in the mustached bat, Pteronotus parnellii, is specialized for fine frequency analysis in three narrow bands that correspond to approx 30, 60 and 90 kHz constant frequency harmonics in the biosonar signals used for Doppler-shift compensation and acoustic imaging of the environment. Previous studies have identified anatomical specializations in and around the area of the cochlea that processes the dominant second harmonic component, but similar features have not been found in areas related to sharp tuning and high sensitivity for the first or third harmonics. In this report we call attention to the large size of the tectorial membrane and spiral limbus in all three areas that appear to process the harmonically related constant frequency components. These structures are especially pronounced in the regions of the cochlea that respond to the approx 61 kHz, second harmonic and 91.5 kHz, third harmonic bands; they correspond specifically to areas where the density of afferent nerve fibers is high and where very sharply tuned neurons occur. These data for cochleae with multiple specializations lend strong support to the idea that the mass of the tectorial membrane can be an important factor in establishing the response properties of the cochlea.

The organ of Corti in the bat Hipposideros bicolor

The bat Hipposideros bicolor (Hipposideridae, Microchiroptera) is the mammalian species with the highest upper limit of hearing in which the structure of the organ of Corti has been studied. H. bicolor emits pure tone echo-locating signals of 153 kHz, compensates for Doppler shifts in the echo and hears ultrasonic frequencies up to 200 kHz (Neuweiler et al., 1984). The organ of Corti was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively using the technique of semi-thin sectioning. Some complementary ultra-thin sections were also examined. Length, width and cross-sectional area of the basilar membrane, the tectorial membrane, the hair cells with their stereocilia and the organ of Corti were measured at equi-distant positions on the basilar membrane. The organ of Corti of H. bicolor is composed of elements similar to those found in the cochleae of other eutherian mammals studied. However, in H. bicolor some of these elements show species-specific differences when compared to auditorily unspecialized mammals. The most basal region of the cochlea is characterized by miniaturization and re-inforcement of macro- and micro-mechanically important elements. This is interpreted as an adaptation for hearing extremely high frequencies. Specialized structures as well as local maxima of 'normal' elements in the basal and middle cochlear region are associated with evaluation of the echos of emitted pure tones. Besides the basal specializations. Hipposideros also shows specializations in the apical, low frequency, region which can be correlated with passive acoustic orientation.

A possibility of sharp tuning in a linear transversally inhomogeneous cochlear model

Considerable sharpening of basilar membrane frequency selectivity and simultaneous decreasing of phase lag can be obtained in a linear ('passive') hydromechanical three-dimensional cochlear model, if the transverse geometry of the cochlea is taken into account. Both the tuning qualities, Q10, and the phase angles at CF of some transversally inhomogeneous linear models can be set into the range of experimental data [Sellick et al. (1983) Hear. Res. 10, 93-108; Robles et al. (1986) J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 80, 1364-1379.] The calculations are developed on the base of WKB-approximation. The integral coefficients of eiconal equation are the transversally averaged means of basilar membrane surface mass density and stiffness: (formula; see text) where eta(y) is the major eigenfunction of basilar membrane cross-sectional vibrations. The classical Ritz's method is used for calculation of the cross-sectional eigenfunctions. The size and the form of cochlear cross-section are found also to alter the tuning. The rapid increase of the model response towards the peak is due to that damping remains negligible up to the peak position, where the imaginery part of the wave-number begins to increase sharply.

The inner ear of the common rhea (Rhea americana L.)

The morphology of the inner ear in rheas was examined by light and electron microscopy. The shape is typically bird-like with very long semicircular canals. The anterior and posterior cristae have small septa cruciata. The vestibular sensory epithelia contain two main types of hair cell innervation; bouton-innervated hair cells and calyceal hair cells characterized by a surrounding nerve calyx. The utricular macula has a single zone of calyceal hair cells, while all other previously examined birds, except the mute swan, have 2 zones. The height of the tallest sensory hairs of the cristae is 20-30 microns. In the utricular and lagenar macula, the hairs are 5-7 microns in the striola and 10-20 microns in the main parts of the sense organs. Along the edges of the maculae the longest hairs may reach 20-30 microns. The number of stereovilli on mature vestibular hair cells is 40-60. The sensory hairs of the hearing organ, the basilar papilla, are generally shorter but more numerous than the vestibular sensory hairs. In the proximal end, the tallest of the 175-200 stereovilli are 2.8-3.7 microns; in the distal end of the papilla, the number of stereovilli decrease to 65-100, and their height increases gradually to 7.3-8.7 microns. The neural sensory hairs are generally taller than those of the abneural side.

Cochlea in old world mice and rats (Muridae)

Morphometric analysis of the cochlea was performed in wild and laboratory murids: Mus musculus, Apodemus sylvaticus, Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, NMRI mouse, and Wistar rat. Results are based on light microscopic examination of surface specimens and serial sections and on three-dimensional computer reconstruction. The cochleae have 1.75-2.2 coils. The length of the basilar membrane varies from 6.0 to 12.1 mm. Mean density of outer hair cells ranges between 363 and 411, inner hair cells 98 and 121, neurons 1,230 and 1,760 per 1 mm. Following parameters change from base to apex: basilar membrane width 66.0 (+/- 8.2) to 175.0 (+/- 24.7) microns, basilar membrane thickness 17.0 (+/- 2.6) to 1.9 (+/- 0.1) microns, width of triad of outer hair cells 13.2 (+/- 0.7) to 28.8 (+/- 4.4) microns. The given numbers are mean "murid" values (with respective standard deviations). Maximum of dimensions of scalae is located at 10-15%, that of density of outer hair cells at 65%, density of inner hair cells at 2.8 mm, maximum of innervation density at 40-60% from the base. The following parameters are correlated with pinna size: length and maximum width of basilar membrane, dimensions of scalae, total number of receptors, and probably resolution capabilities. The following parameters are correlated with body size: maximum width of triad of outer hair cells, density and total number of neurons, ratio of neurons to receptors, apicobasal difference in basilar membrane stiffness and width of triad of outer hair cells; inversely proportional is receptor density and ratio of outer to inner hair cells and probably low-frequency cut-off. Thickness, and minimum width of basilar membrane and triad of outer hair cells and probably high-frequency cutoff are species-specific and independent of pinna or body size. The parameters mentioned indicate that the examined murids are acoustically unspecialized mammals and their cochleae approximate the generalized plan for a mammalian cochlea. Differences between domesticated and wild murids are stated.

Morphology of the basilar papilla of the bobtail lizard Tiliqua rugosa

The morphology of the basilar papilla of the bobtail lizard was investigated with standard light- and scanning-electron-microscopical methods. The papilla can be subdivided into two parts: a small apical segment which is rather uniform in structure and a long basal segment which displays various systematic changes along its length, for example in the density of the hair cells, the height and shape of the hair-cell stereovillar bundles, the number of stereovilli per bundle and the size of the tectorial structure. In addition, the tectorial structures overlying the two segments are very different in size and morphology. Both tectorial structures are probably sensitive to changes in their ionic environment. The possible functional implications of the papillar morphology described here are discussed with respect to a model of frequency tuning in the bobtail lizard.

The cochlea in gerbilline rodents

The inner ears of 5 different gerbil species are compared on the basis of cochlear microphonic recordings, serial sections and computerized quantitative reconstructions of the cochleae and their specific morphological structures. The hearing range of most gerbils is below 20 kHz. Some species are extremely sensitive in the frequency range of 1-4 kHz. This special sensitivity is reflected in, among other features, the following cochlear structures and their suggested functions: (1) the rapid width increase of the basilar membrane in the basal portion of the cochlea provides additional space for the representation of lower frequencies at the expense of higher frequencies; (2) the large hyaline mass and the cells of Claudius and Hensen in the medial and apical portions of the cochlea influence the vibratory properties of the cochlear partition, and (3) the specialized structures of the cochlea may be an adaptation to the acoustical environment in arid habitats.