This labyrinth is a continuous epithelium, giving rise to the vestibular system and auditory components of the inner ear.

Once formed, the otic vesicle will reside next to the neural tube medially, and on the lateral side will be paraxial mesoderm.

The general sequence in formation of the otic vesicle is relatively conserved across vertebrates, although there is much variation in timing and stages.

[3] The early otic vesicle is characterized as having broad competence and can be subdivided into sensory, non-sensory, and neurogenic components.

[4] The anterior end of the otic vesicle gradually elongates as a tube and coils upon itself forming the beginnings of the cochlear duct.

Formation of the otic vesicle has been studied extensively in developmental model organisms including chicken, Xenopus, zebrafish, axolotl, and mouse.