Ultrastructure of the organ of Corti in experimental hydrops.

The early ultrastructural changes of the organ of Corti in the guinea pig after obliteration of the endolymphatic sac and duct were examined in a time-sequence study. Initial loss of outer hair cells was followed by inner hair cell degeneration, both starting at the apical part of the cochlea. Morphological changes of the sensory cells were found to start at the endolymphatic surface and were characterized by a variety of sterociliary pathologies, distortion of the cuticular plate and a less prominent contrast-staining of glycocalyx. Further degeneration was marked by pathological changes of intracellular organelles and the afferent and efferent nerve endings. Details of the ultrastructural changes in the organ of Corti are discussed with regard to the pathophysiology of experimental hydrops.