Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Vibratome Sectioning for Enhanced Preservation of the Cytoarchitecture of the Mammalian Organ of Corti
Published on: June 17, 2011
Scanning electron microscopy of the human cochlea--the organ of Corti
Abstract:
The surface of the organ of Corti from normally hearing adult humans has been examined with the scanning electron microscope. It is possible to construct cytocochleograms and to derive a regression line with confidence limits to represent the distribution of the sensory hair cells. Examining individual hair cells more closely, the number of cilia on each hair cell, decreased linearly with distance, from the base of the cochlea. However, the length of the longest cilia on each outer hair cell increased linearly with distance.
Related Concept Videos
Hair Cells
The Cochlea
The Auditory Ossicles
The aptly named stapes look very much like a stirrup. The three ossicles are unique to mammals, and each plays a role in...
Anatomy of the Ear
Auditory Pathway
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...

