Cation distribution in the organ of Corti of the guinea pig.

Cations were precipitated with potassium antimonate in the cochlea of the guinea pig and the distribution of the formed precipitates was studied by electron microscopy. The precipitate density in different cells of the organ of Corti was determined on electron micrographs by counting numbers of precipitates per unit area. The spatial distribution of the precipitates was also determined by electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI). Significant differences were found among the cells of the same tissue being analyzed. These precipitate-rich cells may play a role in a postulated current flow in the organ of Corti.