Pillar cells (magnified)

Cellulae pilares

Sensory (eye & ear)OrgansWhole body

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What it is

Inner and outer pillar cells lean against each other to form the triangular tunnel of Corti between the inner and outer hair cells; with Deiters' cells they make up the stiff scaffold of the organ.

Function

Give the organ of Corti its rigidity and form the reticular lamina at its surface through which the stereocilia project.

Size

Real height about 50 micrometres.

Clinical note

The tunnel is crossed by thin efferent nerve fibres running from the brainstem to the outer hair cells.