Adapted from Bever et al. (2003), Figure 2. Paint-filled inner ears (pseudo-colored green) are shown in intact, fixed Xenopus laevis specimens at stage 28 and stage 52 to demonstrate the location and relative size of the developing ear. Images are lateral views. Inner ears were filled with paint to visualize the inner surface of the membranous labyrinth. The endolymphatic sac is visible in the stage 52 specimen (arrow- head), even though it did not fill with paint. Total length of stage 52 specimen is 25 mm from tip of snout to tip of tail. Scale bar: 1.0 mm. Based on figure 2 of Bever et al. (2003).
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Schematic of Xenopus laevis inner ear anatomy. Section markers. Anterior to the left, dorsal up (orientation as shown in figure above). Redrawn from Bever et al. (2003).
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Figure 1. Corresponds to plane b in the scheme, showing the utricle. The insert shows the magnification of the macula, the sensory epithelium of the utricle. The overlying crystals are otoconia, components of the otolithic membrane.
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Figure 2. Corresponds to plane c in the scheme, showing the saccule. The insert shows the magnification of the macula of the saccule.
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Figure 3. Corresponds to plane d in the scheme, showing the lagenar recess. The insert shows the magnification of the macula of the lagena.
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Figure 4. Corresponds to plane e in the scheme, showing the amphibian papilla recess. The insert shows the magnification of the sensory epithelium and the overlying tectorial membrane.
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Figure 5. Corresponds to plane f in the scheme, showing the basilar papilla recess. The insert shows the magnification of the sensory epithelium and the overlying tectorial membrane.
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Figure 1. Corresponds to plane a in the scheme, showing the ampullae of the anterior and horizontal canal. The insert shows the magnification of the anterior ampulla with its crista ampullaris.
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Figure 2. Corresponds to plane b in the scheme, showing the utricle. The insert shows the magnification of the macula.
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Figure 3. Corresponds to plane c in the scheme, showing the saccule. The insert shows the magnification of the macula of the saccule.
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Figure 4. Corresponds to plane d in the scheme, showing the lagenar recess. The insert shows the magnification of the macula of the lagena.
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Figure 5. Corresponds to plane e in the scheme, showing the amphibian papilla recess. The insert shows the magnification of the sensory epithelium and the overlying tectorial membrane.
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Figure 6. Corresponds to plane f in the scheme, showing the basilar papilla recess. The insert shows the magnification of the sensory epithelium.
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