Membrane specializations in the human organ of Corti.

The human organ of Corti was investigated with the freeze fracturing technique with the purpose of analysing membrane specializations. Tight junctions were found on hair cells as well as on supporting cells. Inner and outer hair cells were coupled to the supporting cells by rather extensive tight junctions. The tight junctions between the Deiter's cells were comparable to those of the hair cells, while the tight junctions between the Hensen's cells were considerably less extensive. Gap junctions were present coupling all supporting elements in the organ of Corti, small ones preferably in the apical regions of the cells and large ones in the basal region.