
Damaged Inner Ear Hair Cells

by Science Photo Library
Title
Damaged Inner Ear Hair Cells
Artist
Science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Damaged inner ear hair cells. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of age-related degeneration of specialised hair cells and nerve cells within the inner ear. These are the outer hair cells (stereocilia) that line the organ of Corti (the auditory sense organ) inside the cochlea. Normally, sound waves enter the inner ear and displace the fluid surrounding the stereocilia, causing them to bend and trigger nerve impulses. Here, the stereocilia have become swollen and are unable to respond, resulting in deafness. For an image of normal stereocilia, see P434/126.
Uploaded
October 4th, 2018
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