Whole Mouse Cochlea (IMAGE)

WashU Medicine

Whole Mouse Cochlea

Caption

These are images of mouse cochlea, the part of the inner ear responsible for turning mechanical vibrations of sound waves into electrical signals that are sent to the brain. The normal mouse cochlea (left) has continuous rows of sensory hair cells. The cochlea of mice missing FGF20 (right) have gaps in the rows of hair cells. This abnormal structure results in profound deafness.

Credit

David M. Ornitz, MD, PhD

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