“…In addition, vestibular melanocytes are present in the subepithelial connective tissue of the utricular and ampullar roofs (Kikuchi et al., 1994; Kimura, 1969) and show a close association with capillaries (Escobar et al., 1995; Igarashi et al., 1989; LaFerriere et al., 1974; Masuda et al., 1997; Zhang et al., 2013). Although the dark cell epithelium is not present in the saccule and the semicircular canals, melanocytes can still be found at these locations, diffusely distributed throughout the subepithelial connective tissue underlying the single epithelial lining of the extramacular regions of the saccule and semicircular canals (Coppens et al., 2004; Kim et al., 2019; Kimura, 1969; LaFerriere et al., 1974; Masuda et al., 1996; Wolf, 1931). In addition, melanocytes are present in the perisaccular connective tissue surrounding the intraosseous part (pars rugosa) of the endolymphatic sac (Fukazawa et al., 1993, 1994; Gussen, 1978).…”