The Application of the Block Surface Pieparation Technique to the Observation in the Cochlea of Rabbits

Abstract

A new technique (Block-Surface Technique) for quantative evaluation and easy docummentation of cochlear pathology has been reported by Spoendlin in 1974. The authors used this method in the cochlea of rabbits, and sufficient results were obtained. The surface observation of the organ of Corti from the beginning of the basal turn to the apical turn in the rabbits with the interference contrast of Nomarsky was possible as the report by Spoendlin. And after surface observation of the organ of Corti with the interference contrast of Normarsky the desired place was decided. Then with the transmission electron microscope the authors were able to observe the hair cells which was sectioned with mid-modiolar cut at almost desired place by the author's new method.