Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T15:53:25.286Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Temporal bone study of development of the organ of Corti: correlation between auditory function and anatomical structure

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 March 2007

A G Bibas ,
J Xenellis ,
L Michaels ,
S Anagnostopoulou ,
E Ferekidis  and
A Wright
A G Bibas*
Affiliation:
UCL Ear Institute, Royal Free & University College London Medical School, London, UK Department of Otolaryngology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
J Xenellis
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
L Michaels
Affiliation:
UCL Ear Institute, Royal Free & University College London Medical School, London, UK
S Anagnostopoulou
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
E Ferekidis
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
A Wright
Affiliation:
UCL Ear Institute, Royal Free & University College London Medical School, London, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Athanasios Bibas, 2 Nikitara Str, 154 51 Athens, Greece. Fax: 0030 210 7778 095 E-mail: thanosbibas@hotmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

To study the development of the organ of Corti in the human cochlea, and to correlate our findings with the onset of auditory function.

Material and methods:

Step sections of 81 human fetal temporal bones were studied, from eight weeks of gestation to full term.

Results:

By the end of the 10th week, the tectorial membrane primordium could be traced even in the most apical turns. Individual hair cells became identifiable at the basal turn at 14 weeks. At the same time, a small but well formed oval space was observed between the inner and outer hair cells in the basal turn. This does not correspond to the tunnel of Corti, as is erroneously quoted in the literature, as the individual pillar cells develop at later stages. Between 14 and 15 weeks, Hensen's cells were recognised for the first time. Individual pillar cells were identifiable at 17 weeks and the tunnel of Corti opened at 20 weeks. By 25 weeks, the cochlea had reached its adult size, but continued to develop until full term.

Discussion and conclusions:

A temporal coincidence of different developmental events is responsible for early fetal audition at 20 weeks, including growth of pillar cells, opening of the tunnel of Corti and regression of Kollicker's organ, with the subsequent formation of the inner spiral sulcus and then separation of the tectorial membrane. The fine structures of the organ of Corti continue to develop well after the 25th week, and this may well alter the mechanical properties of the vibrating parts of the cochlea, which may in turn account for the frequency shift observed in preterm infants. These changes will have to be taken into account in the development of prenatal hearing screening tests.

Keywords

Organ of CortiCochleaGrowth And DevelopmentHumansFetusHearingMass Screening
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 122 , Issue 4 , April 2008 , pp. 336 - 342
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Pujol, R, Lavigne-Rebillard, M, Uziel, A. Development of the human cochlea. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 1991;482:7–12CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2 Birnholz, JC, Benacerraf, BR. Development of human foetal hearing. Science 1983;222:516–18Google Scholar
3 Hepper, PG, Shahidullah, BS. Development of foetal hearing. Arch Dis Child 1994;71:F81–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4 Peck, JE. Development of hearing. Part III. Postnatal development. J Am Acad Audiol 1995;6:113–23Google Scholar
5 Starr, A, Annlie, RN, Martin, WH, Sandes, S. Development of the auditory function in new-born infants revealed by auditory brainstem potentials. Paediatrics 1977;60:1–9Google Scholar
6 Schulman-Galambos, CS, Galambos, R. Brainstem auditory-evoked responses in premature infants. J Speech Hear Res 1975;18:456–65Google Scholar
7 Morlet, T, Lapillonne, A, Ferber, C, Duclaux, R, Sann, L, Putet, G et al. Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions in preterm neonates: prevalence and gender effects. Hear Res 1995;90:44–54Google Scholar
8 Brienesse, P, Anteunis, L, Wit, H, Gavilanes, D, Maertzdorf, W. Otoacoustic emissions in preterm infants: indications for cochlear development? Audiology 1996;35:296–306CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9 Rubel, EW. Strategies and problems for future studies of auditory development. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 1985;42:114–28CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10 Sanchez-Fernandez, JM, Rivera, JM, Macias, JA. Early aspects of human cochlea development and tectorial membrane histogenesis. Acta Otolaryngol 1983;95:460–9Google Scholar
11 Hinojosa, R. A note on development of Corti's organ. Acta Otolaryngol 1977;84:238–51Google Scholar
12 Bast, TH, Anson, BJ. The Temporal Bone and the Ear. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas, 1949Google Scholar
13 Pujol, R, Hilding, D. Anatomy and Physiology of the onset of auditory function. Acta Otolaryngol 1973;76:1–10Google Scholar
14 Bredberg, G. Cellular pattern and nerve supply of the human organ of Corti. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 1968;236:1Google Scholar
15 Uziel, A, Romand, R, Marot, M. Development of cochlear potentials in rats. Audiology 1981;20:89–100CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16 Anniko, M. Early development and maturation of the spiral ganglion. Acta Otolaryngol 1983;95:263–76CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17 Pujol, R. Morphology, synaptology and electrophysiology of the developing cochlea. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 1985;421:5–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18 Romand, R, Despres, G, Giry, N. Factors affecting the onset of inner ear function. Hear Res 1987;28:1–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19 Bibas, A, Liang, J, Michaels, L, Wright, A. The development of stria vascularis in the human foetus. Clin Otol 2000;25:126–9Google Scholar
20 Bibas, A, Liang, J, Michaels, L, Wright, A. The development of the spiral ganglion in the human foetus. Folia Morphol (Warsz) 2006;65:140–4Google Scholar
21 Rubel, EW, Lippe, WR, Ryals, BM. Development of the place principle. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1984;93:609–15Google Scholar
22 Granier-Deferre, C, Lecannet, JP, Cohen, H, Busnel, MC. Feasibility of prenatal hearing testing. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 1985;42:93–101Google Scholar