Abstract
The only way to study all of the structures in the human ear as a whole is to evaluate histopathological specimens embedded in celloidin and stained by hematoxylin and eosin. Nevertheless, because it is difficult to evaluate spatial relations between anatomic structures in two-dimensional histological slides, we developed a computer program and method to visualize the anatomy and patology of the temporal bone in three dimenions, using two-dimensional histological slides of the specimen. We have also created computer software to measure these structures in three dimensions.
The computer-aided technique we developed is the only one we know of that permits three-dimensional measurement as well as reconstruction of structures in histological specimens. It gives accurate results regardless of the angle at which the specimen was cut, which has enabled us to define the true shapes, locations, dimensions, and reletionships between many structures in the middle and inner ears. Some of the entities that we have evaluated in this way are the cochlea, vestibular endorgans, semicircular canals, round window and its surrounding structures, and facial nerve.
The information we have gained using this new technique has proved essential to the investigation of physiology and pathophysiology of the ear. In addition, it has contributed much to the understanding of three dimensional surgical anatomy, the foundation of otologic surgery.
