FIG. 5.

A A direct volume rendering of a portion of the scala media in an SDS-treated cochlea showing the limbus (L), habenula perforata (arrows), and the basilar membrane structures (arrowhead). Bar = 100 μm. B An overlay of a cellularized (in the background) and decellularized scala media orthogonal cross-section showing the location of the structures (arrowhead) between Boettcher and Hensen cells. Bar = 50 μm. C Scala media cross-section from a paraformaldehyde-fixed cochlea shows what appears to be the structures (arrowhead) among the cells overlying the basilar membrane. Bar = 100 μm. D A direct volume rendering of a portion of the scala media from an SDS-treated rat cochlea. Cell removal is obvious and most of the stria vascularis BL capillary network (c) is detached from the spiral ligament except at two locations. Vessel BL (v) was also observed traversing Reissner’s membrane which is not present. The habenula perforata are visible as a series of depressions running along the basilar membrane (filled arrowhead). Spirally arranged basilar membrane structures are indicated by the white arrowhead. Bar = 50 μm.