 Patterning during morphogenesis into the distinctive inner ear structures is determined by homeobox transcription factors including PAX2, DLX5 and DLX6, with the former specifying for ventral otic vesicle derived auditory structures and the latter two specifying for dorsal vestibular structures.The otic vesicle is derived from the cranial placode.The early otic vesicle is characterized as having broad competence and can be subdivided into sensory, non-sensory, and neurogenic components.