Figure 14.2. The morphological polarization of vestibular hair cells and the polarization maps of the vestibular organs.

Figure 14.2

The morphological polarization of vestibular hair cells and the polarization maps of the vestibular organs. (A) A cross section of hair cells shows that the kinocilia of a group of hair cells are all located on the same side of the hair cell. The arrow indicates the direction of deflection that depolarizes the hair cell. (B) View looking down on the hair bundles. (C) In the ampulla located at the base of each semicircular canal, the hair bundles are oriented in the same direction. In the sacculus and utricle, the striola divides the hair cells into populations with opposing hair bundle polarities.

From: Vestibular Hair Cells

Cover of Neuroscience
Neuroscience. 2nd edition.
Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, et al., editors.
Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates; 2001.
Copyright © 2001, Sinauer Associates, Inc.

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