Observations of human fetal otoconial membranes

C. G. Wright, D. G. Hubbard, G. M. Clark

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Intact otoconial membranes from 31 human fetuses ranging in gestational age from 14 to 36 weeks were studied. At all stages of development specimens from different individuals showed marked variations in overall shape. During the course of the second and third trimesters, both saccular and utricular otoconial membranes were found to increase three to fourfold in surface area and more than twofold in weight. Near the end of gestation the fetal specimens were about equal in area and weight to otoconial membranes from children up to 13 years of age. However, the crystal layers of the fetal membranes had less prominently developed surface contours than usually observed in children and adults, indicating that maturational changes continue after the time of birth.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)267-274
Number of pages8
JournalAnnals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology
Volume88
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1979

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Observations of human fetal otoconial membranes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this