Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Evaluation of Planar-Cell-Polarity Phenotypes in Ciliopathy Mouse Mutant Cochlea
Published on: February 21, 2016
Morphology, synaptology and electrophysiology of the developing cochlea
Abstract:
The development of synapses clearly differentiates the two kinds of cochlear receptors inner (IHC) and outer (OHC) hair cells. An adult-like pattern of innervation can be seen very early below the IHCs: both afferent and efferent (mainly axo-dendritic) synapses are formed before the onset of function. At the OHC level, drastic changes occur: numerous afferent dendrites retract as the large efferent endings arrive and synapse with the hair cell. This synaptic OHC remodelling coincides with maturation of compound action potential (AP) parameters, such as the "S" -shape of the input-output curves and the sharpening of AP tuning curves.
Related Concept Videos
Neuron Structure
Hair Cells
The Cochlea
Neuron Structure
Structure and Function of Neurons
The neuronal cell body—the soma— houses the nucleus and organelles vital to cellular...
Anatomy of the Ear
Auditory Pathway
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...

