Scanning ultrastructure of the stria vascularis

Summary In the eleven years since the introduction of the first commercially available scanning electron microscope, a number of otologic studies have made use of this new technique. However, the literature contains only one report of scanning ultrastructure of the endolymphatic surface of the stria vascularis. We have studied the stria vascularis with a technique allowing examination of the mid-modiolar cut surface as well as the endolymphatic surface.Abbreviations used Figure legends — 1SP lower spiral prominence - uSP upper spiral prominence - E endolymphatic - CS cut surface - c capillaries - S sinus - SL spiral ligamentText abbreviations SEM scanning electron microscope (microscopy) - TEM transmission electron microscope - Å angstrom