A Unique Mammalian Ear (3 of 3) (IMAGE)

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

A Unique Mammalian Ear (3 of 3)

Caption

The development of the mammalian middle ear is a two-step process. First, the future Eustachian tube, which connects the ear to the throat, ruptures. This allows the inclusion of the middle ear ossicles into a cavity but also allows cells to fill the tip of the Eustachian tube. Secondly, these cells then retract around the ossicles gradually resulting in an air-filled cavity. This image relates to a paper that appeared in the March 22, 2013, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The paper, by Hannah Thompson and Abigail S. Tucker at King's College London in London, UK, was titled, "Dual Origin of the Epithelium of the Mammalian Middle Ear."

Credit

[Image courtesy of Hannah Thompson]

Usage Restrictions

Please cite the owner of the image when publishing. This image may be freely used by reporters as part of news coverage, with proper attribution. Non-reporters must contact <i>Science</i> for permission.

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.