Fig. 1.

Representative H&E-stained, light microscopy images of vestibular neuroepithelia from a normal control ear. SCC crista (A) neuroepithelium shows linear array of hair cells (HCs) and support cells arranged between the basement membrane and cuticular plate. Stereocilia (arrows) and cupula are visible. High magnification view (box) of the central zone of the crista (B) shows characteristic appearance of type I and II HCs. Type I HCs are flask shaped with spherical nuclei and surrounded by a single calyx that appears as a clear “halo,” whereas type II HCs are cylindrical without a nerve chalice. Both type I and II HCs reside above a layer of supporting cell nuclei (arrowheads). The abundance of type I compared to type II HCs in the central zone of the crista is evident. The thickness of the neuroepithelium is measured from the basement membrane to the cuticular plate (H). A similarly cellular architecture is observed in the saccule macula (C). “Blebs” (arrows) occurring over the cuticular plate are a result of cellular autolysis during histologic processing. High magnification view (box) of the macula (D) again shows the distribution of type I and II HCs and support cells (arrowheads). The ratio of type I to II HCs is lower than that in the central zone of the crista shown in B.