Sustentocytes

Sustentocyti (sustentocyti, lnh; lat. sustento - support, support + hist. cytus - cell) are specialized epithelial cells that make up the main part of the cell population of the auditory and vestibular apparatus of the inner ear of vertebrates. They are also called cells or epithelium supporting, supporting, holding.

Sustentocytes line the inner surface of the auditory canals of the cochlea and vestibule sacs. They are columnar or plate-shaped and extend from the basement membrane. With their apical surfaces, sustentocytes form the integumentary epithelium that supports the sensory cells of the organs of hearing and balance. Thanks to sustentocytes, mechanical amplification of sound vibrations occurs.

Sustentocytes also participate in the ionic homeostasis of the internal environment of the cochlea, regulating the composition of the endolymph. They provide active transport of K+, Na+, Cl- ions and synthesize endolymph.

Sustentocytes play an important role in the functioning of the auditory and vestibular apparatus of vertebrates.

Sustentocytes are specialized cells with high metabolic activity in the testes of many animals and birds, playing an important role in spermatogenesis. In humans, these cells are found in the male gonads.

These cells are associated with maintaining the primary environment for spermatogonia (sperm-producing germ cells). Sutentocytes form on their basis the so-called “testicular mediastinum”. After meiosis occurs, the process that forms two germ cells (sperm and egg) from one, the environment becomes unsuitable for the existence and development of germ cells. Sustenocytes can be divided into two main types: light and dark cells. The former are present in small quantities (about 1-2%). They are small cells with large nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm. Such cells give a faint pink

Sutentocytes are cell-type cells that support and protect other organs and tissues in the body. These cells are formed in the testicles during human development and occupy about 70-80% of the volume of the testicle. Suentocytes are responsible for the production and storage of sperm, as well as protection against infection.

The role of suentocytes in maintaining the health of the body is that they secrete important hormone-like factors, such as anti-mullerin (AMH), which control the process of sex gland cell division. In addition, suentocytes are involved in the regulation of the immune system