Efferent Components of the Auditory System

Abstract

The origins and terminations of the olivocochlear bundle, which provides an efferent innervation to the organ of Corti, are described on the basis of experiments using axonal transport of tracer substances and light microscopy in the cat. The cells of origin were labeled by the retrograde tracer horseradish peroxidase which was injected unilaterally into the cochlea. Labeled cells in the superior olivary complex could be dichotomized according to their location (lateral or medial), their size (small or large), and their preferred side of projection (uncrossed or crossed). All labeled olivocochlear neurons exhibited a positive reaction for acetylcholinesterase. To determine the cochlear projections of the neurons, injections of a radioactive amino acid were made into either the lateral or medial olivocochlear cell group. After allowing time for synthesis and axonal transport of radio-labeled protein to reach synaptic endings in the cochleas, the tissue sections of these specimens were processed for autoradiography. The results indicate that lateral olivocochlear neurons project to the region beneath the inner hair cells of both sides, whereas medial olivocochlear neurons project to the region beneath the outer hair cells of both sides. These findings are in substantial accord with previous experimental work but suggest that the organ of Corti receives a dual efferent innervation which is organized according to the location and morphology of its cells of origin. Accordingly, it is proposed that the two efferent components of the cochlear innervation described here be referred to as the lateral and medial olivocochlear systems, replacing the current designations of crossed and uncrossed olivocochlear bundles, the latter which are demonstrably heterogeneous in their origins and terminations and, probably, also in their functions.