Utricular and Saccular Volumetry in Human Temporal Bones

Abstract

Using serially sectioned human temporal bones, endolymphatic volumes of utriculus and sacculus were measured with the aid of a computer. The mean of the utricular volume was 8.187 mm³, and the saccular volume, 2.096 mm³. The former was 3.9x the latter. The surface area of the macula utriculi was 3.271 mm², and the macula sacculi was 2.188 mm². The former was 1.5x the latter. The study using pathologic temporal bones (Meniere's disease, otosclerosis, and otitis media chronica) showed that the utricular volume could indeed increase, and the saccular membrane was found to be more fragile than the utricular membrane in those diseased conditions.