Surgical Anatomy of the Inner Ear: Today

Otosurgical Model in the Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus)

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/019459988609500406 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 95 (4) ◽

pp. 450-457 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

James R. Wells ◽

William H. Gernon ◽

George Warp ◽

R. Kim Davis ◽

Leonard L. Hays

Keyword(s):

Animal Model ◽

Guinea Pig ◽

Inner Ear ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Surgical Anatomy ◽

Cavia Porcellus ◽

Middle Ear Disease ◽

Common Problems ◽

Lack Of Knowledge

The guinea pig is a useful model for otologic research. Common problems encountered In working with Individual animals include preexisting chronic middle ear disease, anesthetic deaths, and a lack of knowledge of the surgical anatomy and landmarks of the middle and inner ear. The methods detailed in this article will benefit those interested In a reliable, inexpensive, otosurgical animal model.

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Otoconia formation in the chick embryo

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100076494 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 41 ◽

pp. 572-573

Author(s):

C.D. Fermin ◽

M. Igarashi

Keyword(s):

Chick Embryo ◽

Inner Ear ◽

Gallus Domesticus ◽

The Body ◽

Abnormal Behavior ◽

Intensive Study ◽

Basic Fuchsin ◽

Gestational Period ◽

Sensory Epithelia ◽

Transmission Electron

Otoconia are microscopic geometric structures that cover the sensory epithelia of the utricle and saccule (gravitational receptors) of mammals, and the lagena macula of birds. The importance of otoconia for maintanance of the body balance is evidenced by the abnormal behavior of species with genetic defects of otolith. Although a few reports have dealt with otoconia formation, some basic questions remain unanswered. The chick embryo is desirable for studying otoconial formation because its inner ear structures are easily accessible, and its gestational period is short (21 days of incubation).The results described here are part of an intensive study intended to examine the morphogenesis of the otoconia in the chick embryo (Gallus- domesticus) inner ear. We used chick embryos from the 4th day of incubation until hatching, and examined the specimens with light (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The embryos were decapitated, and fixed by immersion with 3% cold glutaraldehyde. The ears and their parts were dissected out under the microscope; no decalcification was used. For LM, the ears were embedded in JB-4 plastic, cut serially at 5 micra and stained with 0.2% toluidine blue and 0.1% basic fuchsin in 25% alcohol.

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