Ciliogenesis in Human Vestibular Epithelia A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

Abstract

Ciliogenesis events in human vestibular epithelia develop as an asynchronous process between neighbouring cells, but it is a synchronous one within each sensory cell, presenting the following stages. Initially, the cilia buds appear as stubby cylinders well aligned on the cuticular plate of the presumptive sensory cell. In the next stage, ciliary growth occurs at one pole of the cuticular plate where elongation of the kinocilium and the nearby stereocilia can be observed. Posteriorly, the elongation of the kinocilium and the nearby stereocilia continues, remaining shorter than the other emerging stereocilia buds. Finally, the staircase height pattern of the mature sensory hair bundle is reached by means of a ciliary buds differential elongation.

Key Words:

• ciliogenesis
• vestibular epithelium
• development