Comparative biology of the amniote vestibular utricle.

Differences in the distribution of sensory hair cell types.

Difference in supporting cell properties and hair cell regeneration potential.

The sensory epithelia of the auditory and vestibular systems of vertebrates have shared developmental and evolutionary histories. However, while the auditory epithelia show great variation across vertebrates, the vestibular sensory epithelia appear seemingly more conserved. An exploration of the current knowledge of the comparative biology of the amniote utricle, a vestibular sensory epithelium that senses linear acceleration, shows interesting instances of variability between birds and mammals. The distribution of sensory hair cell types, the position of the line of hair bundle polarity reversal and the properties of supporting cells show marked differences, likely impacting vestibular function and hair cell regeneration potential.

Vestibular system

Evolution

Utricle

Hair cells

Supporting cells

No data was used for the research described in the article.

© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.