Cohen G M, Fermin C D
Hear Res. 1985 Apr;18(1):29-39. doi: 10.1016/0378-5955(85)90108-x.
The nascent tectorial membrane (TM) is identifiable as early as stage 33 (7th day) as thin, wispy material. By stage 37 (11th day), the dense mesh of the immature TM and fibrous webs (subtectorial threads) that attach the TM to the basilar papilla are distinct but scanty. The TM condenses slightly in its upper face. The growth of the columnar cells and basilar papilla during the following days pulls the TM, lifting it upward, and resembling the cables on a suspension bridge in cross-section. As a result, a large hollow wedge forms. During stages 40-44 (14th-18th days), the columnar cells secrete large amounts of fibrous material, which fills the hollow wedge and condenses into the dense meshes. The honeycombed patterns appear at this time. The supporting cells secrete the fibrous webs. Their secretory activity closely corresponds to that of the columnar cells. The secretory material from both cell types remains attached to the apical ends of their respective cells after secretory activity ends. By hatching (stage 46-21 days), the columnar cells have filled with fibrous material and their cytoplasmic organelles are restricted to the apices. The cytoplasm of supporting cells is relatively clear, with few cytoplasmic remnants of their intense secretory activity earlier.
新生的盖膜（TM）早在第33阶段（第7天）就可被识别为薄而纤细的物质。到第37阶段（第11天），不成熟的TM致密网和将TM附着于基底乳头的纤维网（盖膜下纤维）清晰可见，但数量稀少。TM的上表面略有浓缩。在接下来的几天里，柱状细胞和基底乳头的生长拉动TM，使其向上抬起，在横截面上类似于悬索桥上的缆绳。结果，形成了一个大的中空楔形。在第40 - 44阶段（第14 - 18天），柱状细胞分泌大量纤维物质，填充中空楔形并浓缩成致密网。此时出现蜂窝状图案。支持细胞分泌纤维网。它们的分泌活动与柱状细胞的分泌活动密切对应。两种细胞类型的分泌物质在分泌活动结束后仍附着在各自细胞的顶端。到孵化时（第46 - 21天），柱状细胞充满纤维物质，其细胞质细胞器局限于顶端。支持细胞的细胞质相对清晰，早期强烈分泌活动留下的细胞质残余物很少。
