Electron Microscopical Observations of Melanin in the Endolymphatic Sac

Abstract

Endolymphatic sacs of pigmented guinea pigs were examined by light and electron microscopy. Melanocytes were located not only in the subepithelial connective tissue but also in the intercellular spaces between the epithelial cells. They projected their dendrites into the epithelium extensively. Melanosomes in several stages of maturation and well-developed Golgi apparatus were seen in the cytoplasm of the melanocytes. Melanosomes were also observed in the membrane-bound vacuoles of the epithelial cells. These findings suggest that melanocytes in the endolymphatic sac are highly capable of producing tyrosinase, synthesizing melanin and transfering melanosomes to the epithelial cells, while melanocytes in the other parts of the inner ear do not show signs of melanogenesis under normal conditions.

Key Words:

• ultrastructure
• melanocyte
• inner ear
• endolymphatic sac.