Freeze-fracture study of the cell junctions in the utricle and saccule.

The maculae sacculi and utriculi of the chinchilla vestibular labyrinth have been studied by freeze-fracture method. In the replicas extensive zonulae occludentes have been found between sensory and supporting cells at the endolymphatic surface. Gap junctions are located between the supporting cells. Some intramembranous specializations of the synaptic regions are described in both types of the sensory cells.