Organotypic explants of auditory sensory epithelia-basilar papilla (BP) were prepared from 8-16 days postnatal chicken and cultured in vitro for up to 7 days using primary culture technique. The survival status and histological features of the BP were studied. The results showed that morphologic integrity of hair cells and supporting cells was well maintained in the duration of culture and was comparable to those in vivo. The paradigm anchorage-bottom with bFGF/collagen as a substrate provided the best result, whereas the free-floating method was optimal for a short period of culture within 48 hours. This could be a valuable experimental means for further research of the auditory hair cells in vitro.