The Atypical Epithelial Formations of the Utricle

Abstract

STUDIES on the so-called atypical epithelial formations of the utricle¹ were carried out by many authors, since Retzius,² (1880) described them the first time.^3-13 Often different names were given to the same structures by these authors. According to Benjamins⁵ these epithelial formations comprise two groups of structures: (1) a low ridge in the inferior sinus of the utricle close to the ampullar opening of the posterior vertical canal and near the opening of the utricular duct, the so-called crista neglecta sive quarta (called macula neglecta by Retzius,² papilla neglecta by De Burlet⁹); and (2) one or several small epithelial mounds or thickenings in various places of the utricular wall. Gacek¹¹ made a detailed study of the crista quarta. He found it in the dog, cat, lion, and mouse and stressed its similarity to a crista rather than to a macula. It had previously