Distribution of Bone Remodeling Units in the Otic Capsule of the Rabbit: a Semiquantitative Morphometric Study

Abstract

Distribution of bone remodeling units (BRU) in relation to the perilymphatic space was studied in undecalcified temporal bones from adult rabbits labeled in vivo with bone-seeking fluoro-chromes. Based on recordings of focal bone formation, relative densities of BRUs inside concentric tissue zones around the inner ear spaces were estimated. Zonal densities of BRUs were found to decline towards the perilymphatic space, lending further support to the existence of a local inner ear mechanism in control of capsular bone tissue dynamics. The possible nature of this mechanism is considered briefly with special reference to inner ear electromechanic activity.

Key Words:

• skeletal intermediary organization
• bone remodeling
• bone resorption
• bone formation
• undecalcified processing
• microradiography
• fluorescent dyes
• histology
• otosclerosis