Inner ear ossification and mineralization kinetics in human embryonic development - microtomographic and histomorphological study

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Description

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Little is known about middle and inner ear development during the second and third parts of human fetal life. Using ultra-high resolution Microcomputed Tomography coupled with bone histology, we performed the first quantitative middle and inner ear ossification/mineralization evaluation of fetuses between 17 and 39 weeks of gestational age. We show distinct ossification paces between ossicles, with a belated development of the stapes. A complete cochlear bony covering is observed within the time-frame of the onset of hearing, whereas distinct time courses of ossification for semicircular canal envelopes are observed in relation to the start of vestibular functions. The study evidences a spatio-temporal relationship between middle and inner ear structure development and the onset of hearing and balance, critical senses for the fetal adaptation to birth.</jats:p>

Journal

  • Scientific Reports

    Scientific Reports 7 (1), 2017-07-06

    Springer Science and Business Media LLC

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