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The fine structure of lipofuscin in the human inner ear

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Summary

Lipofuscin inclusions in the human membranous labyrinth were studied by electron microscopy. Lipofuscin is morphologically an irregularly shaped, membrane-bound inclusion consisting of an electron-dense structure. The most common component was a fine, granular, osmiophilic substance which was always associated with a homogenous, spherical structure resembling a lipid droplet. The combination of these two components was frequently observed in the human inner ear. Distended inclusions containing lipofuscin components were also observed within the supporting cells, saccular, utricular and ampullar wall, the epithelial cells of the transitional zone and in the dark cells. Lipofuscin is closely associated with lysosome and is known to accumulate in the tissue as a result of aging. The high lysosomal activity possibly may result in lipofuscin formation in the human inner ears. Also some other unknown metablic conditions may provide the deposits of lipofuscin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan

    Tetsuo Ishii

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  1. Tetsuo Ishii
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I wish to express my thanks to Professor Nobuo Ueda of the Biochemistry Department for his advice and to Mr. Dominic W. Hughes for English editing of this paper.

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Ishii, T. The fine structure of lipofuscin in the human inner ear. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 215, 213–221 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00463059

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00463059

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