Crista neglecta in man.

The prevalence, location, and size of the crista neglecta in man were investigated by examining the histological sections of 223 human temporal bones (137 cases). The relationship between the crista neglecta and the singular nerve was also described. The crista neglecta was observed in 17 cases, ranging in age from 15-week fetal life to 76 years. This structure was located on the wall of the anterolateral quadrant of the posterior canal ampulla, close to the cribriform area of the singular nerve in the area between the utriculoampullar duct and the intermediate portion of the posterior canal crista. The average width, length, and height of the crista neglecta were described. The crista neglecta had a mound-like shape and contained nerve fibers, transitional epithelium, sensory hair cells, and a cupula. The nerve fibers from the crista neglecta were joined to a small branch of the singular nerve at the cribriform area in 5 of 17 crista neglecta cases, and to the main trunk of the singular nerve in the remaining 12 cases.