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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Stereocilia Bundle Imaging with Nanoscale Resolution in Live Mammalian Auditory Hair Cells
Published on: January 21, 2021
Does the geometrical arrangement of the outer hair cell stereocilia perform a fluid-mechanical function?
1ENT Department, Medical School, University of Rostock, Düsseldorf, Germany. hans-wilhelm.pau@med.uni-rostock.de
Conclusions:
Our experiments qualitatively show that the geometrical structure of the inner ear may have the features of a micro-pump. To further substantiate this hypothesis, additional experiments, particularly on in vivo preparations, are needed.
Objective:
To introduce some new ideas about the functional purpose of the geometric arrangement of the outer hair cell stereocilia. Analogies to some recently developed valveless micro-pumps are pointed out. To illustrate these points, comparative experiments were performed using a simplified macro model.
Methods:
Specific structures of the organ of Corti were simulated in a partially open, partially closed acrylic tank. This rough approximation allows the visualization of fluid flows that are generated as a result of the relative motions between the tectorial membrane and the reticular lamina.
Results:
It was shown that the arrangement of the cochlear elements not only forces fluid to flow in a one-way direction, but also generates a fluid stream that flows through the "outlets" between each two V or W formations of stereocilia. These fluid streams are directed towards the inner hair cells.
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