Figure 1

Light microscopic photomicrograph of the sensory epithelia from Meniere's disease vestibular endorgans. (A) Cross-section of the horizontal crista from a subject with Meniere's disease. The sensory epithelia (SE) demonstrated degeneration and conversion from the normal cytoarchitecture to a single layer of epithelial cells (EC) with a columnar shape, uniform-appearing cytoplasm, and homogeneously-staining nuclei, aligned at the same level between the apical and basal surfaces of the cell. The basement membrane (BM) was severely thickened ({ }). The stroma (ST) demonstrated mild vacuolization with increased intercellular spaces (arrows). (B) Cross-section of a utricular macula from another subject with Meniere's disease. The hair cells (HCs) and supporting cells (SCs) formed almost a single layer. There was also thickening of the underlying BM. (C) Cross-section of a posterior crista from another subject with Meniere's disease. The SE is devoid of HCs and the remaining SCs form a monolayer. There was a pronounced thickening of the BM ({ }). Bar A, B and C = 25 μm. Two-micron thin sections counterstained with osmium tetroxide and toluidine blue.