Supernumerary human hair cells—signs of regeneration or impaired development? A field emission scanning electron microscopy study
- Helge Rask-Andersen
- Hao Li
- Hubert Löwenheim
- Marcus Müller
- Kristian Pfaller
- Annelies Schrott-Fischer
- Rudolf Glueckert
DOIAbstract
Background: Current attempts to regenerate cochlear sensorineural structures motivate further inspection of the human organ of hearing. Here, we analyzed the supernumerary inner hair cell (sIHC), a possible sign of regeneration and cell replacement. Methods: Human cochleae were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM; maximum resolution 2 nm) obtained from individuals aged 44, 48, and 58 years with normal sensorineural pure-tone average (PTA) thresholds (PTA <20 dB). The wasted tissue was harvested during trans-cochlear approaches and immediately fixed for ultrastructural analysis. Results: All specimens exhibited sIHCs at all turns except at the extreme lower basal turn. In one specimen, it was possible to image an...
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