THE INTEKNAL EAE 



711 



forms a continuous, membranous, cuticular layer known as the lamina 

 reticularls. The inner portion of this cuticular membrane is pierced by 

 the cilia of the three to five rows of outer hair cells, as already described. 

 A fibrillar axial core is a common feature of all of the sustentacular 

 elements of Corti's organ. This fiber of Eetzius becomes progressively 



A 



FIG. 588. DIAGRAM OF THE ORGAN OF CORTI. 



A, surface view, from the direction of the scala media; B, as seen 

 in section, profile view, a, the vestibular lip of the lamina spiralis; b, margin of 

 same; c, sulcus spiralis internus; d, inner sustentacular cells; e, inner hair cells; /, 

 pillar cells; g, outer hair cells and phalanges of Deiters' cells; h, cells of Hensen; i, 

 cells of Claudius. Very highly magnified. 



less pronounced in passing from the pillar cells, where it is very highly 

 developed, to the cells of Claudius, where it is barely discernible. 



In the above description we have directed attention to the appear- 

 ance of transections of the organ of Corti. In the study of this organ 

 in the fresh condition, and occasionally in fixed and stained preparations, 

 it is possible to obtain a surface view of this organ from the direction 

 of the scala media. In such preparations the polygonal outlines of the 

 columnar cells of the limbus spiralis, beneath which are the auditory 

 teeth, are seen on the outer side of the attachment of Keissner's mem- 



