Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Estimating Vestibular Perceptual Thresholds Using a Six-Degree-Of-Freedom Motion Platform
Published on: August 4, 2022
Progression of changes in the sensorial elements of the cochlear and peripheral vestibular systems: The otitis media
Rafael da Costa Monsanto1, Patricia Schachern2, Michael M Paparella2
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota, 2001 6th St. SE, Lions Research Building, Room 210, Otopathology Laboratory, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua dos Otonis, 700 - Piso Superior - Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04025 002, Brazil.
Abstract:
Our study aimed to evaluate pathologic changes in the cochlear (inner and outer hair cells and stria vascularis) and vestibular (vestibular hair cells, dark, and transitional cells) sensorial elements in temporal bones from donors who had otitis media. We studied 40 temporal bones from such donors, which were categorized in serous otitis media (SOM), serous-purulent otitis media (SPOM), mucoid/mucoid-purulent otitis media (MOM/MPOM), and chronic otitis media (COM); control group comprised 10 nondiseased temporal bones. We found significant loss of inner and outer cochlear hair cells in the basal turn of the SPOM, MOM/MPOM and COM groups; significant loss of vestibular hair cells was observed in the MOM/MPOM and COM groups. All otitis media groups had smaller mean area of the stria vascularis in the basal turn of the cochlea when compared to controls. In conclusion, our study demonstrated more severe pathologic changes in the later stages of the continuum of otitis media (MOM/MPOM and COM). Those changes seem to progress from the basal turn of the cochlea (stria vascularis, then inner and outer hair cells) to the middle turn of the cochlea and to the saccule and utricle in the MOM/MPOM and COM stages.
Related Concept Videos
Anatomy of the Ear
The Vestibular System
Equilibrium and Balance
Auditory Pathway
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking...
The Cochlea
Auditory Perception

