Drift barriers in the postcartilaginous development of the mammalian otic capsule

Postcartilaginous development of the otic capsule was studied in undecalcified histological material from rabbits following sequential fluorochromic time labeling of mineralizing tissues, using combined microradiography, fluorescence microscopy and osteoid staining. Early fetal bone formation was monitored by labelling of the experimental animals in utero. In contrast to the normal pattern of drift movements displayed by long bones and extracapsular cranial bone, capsular bone inside a zone immediately surrounding the perilymphatic space developed as a separate functional unit in which growth and modeling was absent. Bone tissue behavior appeared to depend on its spatial relation to the membranous labyrinth rather than histological characteristics. These findings suggest the role of inner ear tissues as a functional matrix in control of capsular bone dynamics beyond fetal life.