Human stapes crura. Normal ultrastructure, scanning electron microscopical findings.

The crura of normal human stapes were studied with the scanning electron microscope. Three definite layers were seen: mucosal, periosteal, and bone. The appearance of each layer, as well as of the transition zones, has been presented. Familiarization with the scanning electron microscopic features of the normal human stapes crura should make identification and interpretation of abnormal features of diseased states apparent.