Jaeger R, Takagi A, Haslwanter T
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, Germany.
Hear Res. 2002 Nov;173(1-2):29-42. doi: 10.1016/s0378-5955(02)00485-9.
We have performed a finite element simulation of realistic displacements of otolith membranes by static linear accelerations. The simulations were based on accurate measurements of the surfaces of human utricular and saccular maculae, which indicate a clear curvature of these surfaces. The results show that this curvature, a feature probably found in all mammals, has no effect on the mechanics of the structure as a whole since the elastic coupling in the otolith membrane is insufficient. Hair cell excitations on any place of the macula are only affected by the local orientation of the macula with respect to acceleration. Based on the displacements of the otolith membrane, we also calculated the induced activation patterns on the otolith epithelia. These patterns provide for the first time a complete image of peripheral otolith activity. The individual activation patterns at selected locations on the macula correspond well with single cell recordings of actual peripheral otolith neurons.
我们通过静态线性加速度对耳石膜的实际位移进行了有限元模拟。这些模拟基于对人类椭圆囊和球囊斑表面的精确测量，测量结果表明这些表面存在明显的曲率。结果显示，这种曲率可能在所有哺乳动物中都存在，由于耳石膜中的弹性耦合不足，它对整个结构的力学性能没有影响。斑上任何位置的毛细胞兴奋仅受斑相对于加速度的局部方向影响。基于耳石膜的位移，我们还计算了耳石上皮上的诱导激活模式。这些模式首次提供了外周耳石活动的完整图像。斑上选定位置的个体激活模式与实际外周耳石神经元的单细胞记录非常吻合。
