Three-dimensional visualization of the human membranous labyrinth: The membrana limitans and its role in vestibular form
Three-dimensional visualization of the human membranous labyrinth: The membrana limitans and its role in vestibular form
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DOI：
10.1002/ar.24675
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发表时间：
2021-06-06
影响因子：
2
通讯作者：
Laitman, Jeffrey T.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Smith, Christopher M.;Curthoys, Ian S.;Laitman, Jeffrey T.
内耳包含平衡（前庭迷路）和听力（耳蜗）的末端器官。前庭迷路由半规管（检测角加速度）和耳石器官（椭圆囊和球囊，检测线性加速度和相对于重力的头部倾斜）组成。位于胞囊下方的是膜界膜（ML）。作为前庭几何形状的基石，ML为椭圆囊黄斑提供支撑，并作为前庭迷路的上级部分（pars上级）和下部（pars inferior）之间的结构边界。鉴于其在前庭形态中的重要性，了解ML形态在建立其他前庭结构（特别是椭圆囊黄斑）的空间组织方面是有价值的。然而，ML的3D结构和变化的知识仍然难以捉摸。我们的研究通过使用micro-CT数据在3D中可视化ML和周围结构来解决这一知识差距。通过这样做，我们试图澄清：（a）ML形状的变化;（B）ML附着部位的可靠性;（c）ML与镫骨底板的空间关系，使用基于地标的广义Procrustes，主成分和协方差分析。结果表明，三种不同的骨性ML附件的配置一致，包括前外侧、内侧和后侧附件，所有附件均随骨结构变化。我们的研究结果为进一步了解前庭，更具体地说，人类头部内的椭圆囊黄斑空间配置奠定了基础，为依赖于前庭空间配置的3D理解的临床和进化研究提供了帮助。
The inner ear contains the end organs for balance (vestibular labyrinth) and hearing (cochlea). The vestibular labyrinth is comprised of the semicircular canals (detecting angular acceleration) and otolith organs (utricle and saccule, which detect linear acceleration and head tilt relative to gravity). Lying just inferior to the utricle is the membranous membrana limitans (ML). Acting as a keystone to vestibular geometry, the ML provides support for the utricular macula and acts as a structural boundary between the superior (pars superior) and inferior (pars inferior) portions of the vestibular labyrinth. Given its importance in vestibular form, understanding ML morphology is valuable in establishing the spatial organization of other vestibular structures, particularly the utricular macula. Knowledge of the 3D structure and variation of the ML, however, remain elusive. Our study addresses this knowledge gap by visualizing, in 3D, the ML and surrounding structures using micro-CT data. By doing so, we attempt to clarify: (a) the variation of ML shape; (b) the reliability of ML attachment sites; and (c) the spatial relationship of the ML to the stapes footplate using landmark-based Generalized Procrustes, Principal Component and covariance analyses. Results indicate a consistent configuration of three distinct bony ML attachments including an anterolateral, medial, and posterior attachment which all covary with bony structure. Our results set the stage for further understanding into vestibular and more specifically, utricular macula spatial configuration within the human head, offering the potential to aid in clinical and evolutionary studies which rely on a 3D understanding of vestibular spatial configuration.