This atlas focuses on selected aspects of cochlear anatomy as illustrated by material prepared by the microdissection technique, a three-dimensional perspective not possible with standard histological approaches. Although much of the material in this text was processed by the microdissection method, photomicrographs from conventionally cross sectioned inner ear tissues and scanning electron microscopy, are also presented. Taken together, these technical approaches provide different, complementary views of inner ear anatomy, and offer a more informative understanding than is possible with any of the methods used alone. While micrographs obtained from microdissected material appear sporadically in journal articles, there is no comprehensive collection of such images currently available. The illustrations assembled in this atlas are complementary to the more traditional histologic images and drawings available in standard texts, and aide in understanding the intricate anatomy of the cochlea.
Cochlear Anatomy via Microdissection with Clinical Implications will be a useful resource for otolaryngologists, anatomists, audiologists, and neuroscientists. Those engaged in cochlear implantation, physicians and researchers in the growing fields of implantable hearing aids and drug delivery to the inner ear, and members of industry involved in designing, manufacturing, and marketing implantable hearing aids will also find this atlas of great value.
