Morphological Basis of Directional Sensitivity of the Outer Hair Cells in the Organ of Corti

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Abstract
Electron-microscope studies of cross sections of hair bundles on the outer hair cells in the organ of Corti show a consistent orientation of the sensory hairs. In the cuticle, a basal body is regularly found on the side of the cell toward the Hensen's cells. The sensory hairs are organized in the shape of w pointing towards the basal body. The morphological polarization of the hair cells in the organ of Corti is discussed in the light of similar polarization of the hair cells in the vestibular sensory epithelia and the lateral-line canal organs. A close relation is to be found between the morphological and electrophysiological polarization of the mechanoreceptors in the sense organs of hearing and equilibrium.