Structural Pattern of the Organ of Corti.

TLDR

Cochlear preparation for electron microscopy has been refined over time, with prior cochleogram reconstructions relying on conventional histology that sampled only one in ten sections and included nerve staining techniques. The study introduces a novel technique for reconstructing both normal and experimental cochleae. The authors developed a surface preparation method that exposes the membranous labyrinth, especially the organ of Corti, without bone, and refined Maillet’s nerve staining protocol. The new technique improves conventional histopathology by incorporating phase contrast and electron microscopy, enabling precise early‑stage hair cell mapping and producing a more accurate cochleogram.

Abstract

The authors have great experience in techniques of cochlear preparation for electron microscopy. They present a new domain of research technique in reconstructing normal as well as experimental cochleas. Three distinct contributions are made to improve conventional histopathological technique into an up-to-date technique utilizing the phase contrast and electron microscope. <i>Surface Preparation Technique.</i>—Contrasted to the conventional technique, this technique is used to demonstrate the membranous labyrinth, mainly the organ of Corti, devoid of bone. This technique is excellent for charting hair cells in early stages of pathology and forms the basis of a new cochleogram (vide infra). <i>Cochleogram.</i>—Reconstruction of the organ of Corti has been developed by various authors (Guild, Schuknecht, and others), although their technique has been based on conventional histologic sections. In conventional reconstruction, only one of every ten sections is represented. This new technique offers greater accuracy. <i>Nerve Staining</i>. —The authors improved the nerve staining technique of Maillet,