;*72 MICROSCOPIC ANATOMY <>1- THE 



separated from one another by rows of Dritrr*' cells (support- 

 ing cells). The latter are flask-shaped cells, each of which 

 rests on the membrana basilaris by a narrow base. The middle 

 thicker part of the cell contains a large nucleus, and becomes 

 much smaller above to form a process which widens out at the 

 end into a cuticular structure, the so-called phalanx. In the 

 axis of each Deiters' cell there is a thin firm fibre which 

 passes above into the phalanx and acts as a supporting 

 mechanism for these cells. It is a cuticular differentiation 

 of the cell protoplasm. 



The phalanges are related to one another in such a way 

 that they form a delicate network (membrana reticularis, Fig. 

 *271). The spaces are filled by the cuticular borders of the 

 outer hair cells. 



Between the cells of this outer segment of Corti's organ is 

 a whole system of intercellular spaces, which in the upper half 

 separate the supporting and auditory cells from one another ; 

 while in the lower half, where the hair cells are not present, 

 they separate only the supporting cells (Fig. 270). This whole 

 system of spaces, together with the spaces which are left 

 l>riween the outer pillars and the inner row of outer hair cells, 

 is known as NueVs space. It communicates with the canal of 

 Corti by means of narrow spaces between the thin bodies of the 

 outer pillars. This entire canal system is filled with endolymph. 



Fastened to the last row of Deiters' supporting cells there 

 an- many (five to eight) rows of cylindrical cells, the so-called 

 Henle's cells. These become cubical toward the outside, and 

 form about ten rows on the membrana basilaris of the so-called 

 cells of Claudius. In man both kinds of cells may contain 

 pigment granules. 



Mention must still be made of a cuticular structure which 

 is called the membrana tectoria (Cortii) (Fig. 270). It is a very 

 thin membrane of cells adhering to the limbus spiralis. At 

 the border of the lahium vestibulare it becomes free, covers 

 over the sulcus spiralis interims, and lies on the organ of Corti. 

 The free thin border reaches up to the outermost row of outer 

 hair cells. The structure of this membrane is purely fibrillar. 



