TY - JOUR
T1 - Pinocytosis in the pillar cells of the organ of corti
AU - Preston, R. E.
AU - Wright, C. G.
N1 - Funding Information:
Support for this work was provided by NINDS, USPHS Postdoctoral Fellowship NS 36, 642, Research Grant NS 05065, Program Project Grant NS 05785, and Training Grant NS 05679.
PY - 1974
Y1 - 1974
N2 - Electron micrographs are presented showing openings in the head plates of the pillar cells of the organ of Corti. The possibility of fluid transport between the tunnel-spaces and the subtectorial space is inferred from these observations. The capabilities of the pillar cells for fluid transport were further examined through the use of the exogenous tracer, Thorotrast, which was not seen in the tunnel-spaces until at least 40 min after introduction into perilymph. After 2 hrs Thorotrast was found in vesicles in all parts of the pillar cells and closely applied to the external membrane. On the basis of a review of histochemical observations relating to the pillar cells, together with morphological findings and results of tracer experiments, it appears that these cells are implicated in active transport processes involving perilymph, cortilymph, and the fluid of the subtectorial space. They may help to maintain microhomeostasis in the cochlear transducer.
AB - Electron micrographs are presented showing openings in the head plates of the pillar cells of the organ of Corti. The possibility of fluid transport between the tunnel-spaces and the subtectorial space is inferred from these observations. The capabilities of the pillar cells for fluid transport were further examined through the use of the exogenous tracer, Thorotrast, which was not seen in the tunnel-spaces until at least 40 min after introduction into perilymph. After 2 hrs Thorotrast was found in vesicles in all parts of the pillar cells and closely applied to the external membrane. On the basis of a review of histochemical observations relating to the pillar cells, together with morphological findings and results of tracer experiments, it appears that these cells are implicated in active transport processes involving perilymph, cortilymph, and the fluid of the subtectorial space. They may help to maintain microhomeostasis in the cochlear transducer.
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U2 - 10.3109/00016487409126363
DO - 10.3109/00016487409126363
M3 - Article
C2 - 4451083
AN - SCOPUS:0016135646
SN - 0001-6489
VL - 78
SP - 333
EP - 340
JO - Acta Oto-Laryngologica
JF - Acta Oto-Laryngologica
IS - 1-6
ER -