The Effects of Cupular Removal on the Activity of Ampullary Structures in the Pigeon

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Abstract
The effects of experimental removal of the pigeon cupula ampullaris were studied. It could be shown that the hairs of the sensory cells generally remain intact after this operation, suggesting that they are not fixed to the structures of the cupular substance. The cells of the transitional epithelium on the slopes of the crista showed an intense secretory activity as a result of the operation. The secretion appeared in the sections as eosinophilic globules. These globules were found in all parts of the endolymphatic space shortly after the operation, but were removed by the stream of secreted endolymph, except in the region of the sensory area where they were trapped by the hairs. At a later postoperative period the globules in between the hairs are believed to be lifted beyond the tips of the hairs, thereby forming a new “subcupular space”. It is suggested that this could be the result of a histologically invisible secretion from the supporting cells of the sensory areas.