Morphology of the utricular otolith organ in the toadfish, Opsanus tau.

ABSTRACT: The utricle provides the vestibular reflex pathways with the sensory codes of inertial acceleration of self-motion and head orientation with respect to gravity to control balance and equilibrium. Here we present an anatomical description of this structure in the adult oyster toadfish and establish a morphological basis for interpretation of subsequent functional studies. Light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy techniques were applied to visualize the sensory epithelium at varying levels of detail, its neural innervation and its synaptic organization. Scanning electron microscopy was used to visualize otolith mass and morphological polarization patterns of hair cells. Afferent nerve fibers were visualized following labeling with biocytin, and light microscope images were used

SUBMITTER: Boyle R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5899691 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature