33 2 ELEMENTS OF HISTOLOGY. [Chap. XLI. 



rods of Corti, they reach the outer hair-cells, with 

 which they become connected (Gottstein, Waldeyer). 



484. In connection with the outer process of the 

 head of the inner and outer rods of Corti, mentioned 

 above, is an elastic hyaline membrane the lamina 

 or membrana reticularis. It extends outwards over 

 the organ of Corti to the supporting cells of Hensen, 

 and possesses holes for the tops of the outer hair-cells 

 and their hairs. The parts between the rods of Corti 

 and between the outer hair-cells appear of the shape of 

 phalanges phalanges of Deiters. A short cuticular 

 membrane extends from the head of the inner rod of 

 Corti inwards to the inner supporting cells : it possesses 

 holes for the tops of the inner hair-cells. 



485. From the vestibular labium of the crista 

 spiralis to the outer hair-cells of the organ of Corti 

 extends a peculiar fibrillated membrane the mem- 

 brana tectoria. By means of it the sulcus spiralis 

 internus is bridged over, and so converted into a 

 canal. 



486. As we ascend towards the top of the cochlea, 

 all parts in the scala media decrease gradually in size. 

 The organ of Corti, being of an epithelial nature, 

 possesses no blood-vessels. From the anatomical 

 relations of the organ of Corti, it appears most pro- 

 bable that the pillars, or rods, of Corti act as the 

 supporting tissue, or framework, around which the 

 other elements are grouped ; and it seems likely 

 that the hair-cells, with their rod-like hairs projecting 

 freely into the endolymph, are the real sound-perceiving 

 elements of the organ of Corti. Their connection 

 with the terminal tibrillte of the nerves points in the 

 same direction. 



