Three-dimensional modelling of the middle-ear ossicular chain using a commercial high-resolution X-ray CT scanner.

The quantitative measurement of the three-dimensional (3-D) anatomy of the ear is of great importance in the making of teaching models and the design of mathematical models of parts of the ear, and also for the interpretation and presentation of experimental results. This article describes how we used virtual sections from a commercial high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner to make realistic 3-D anatomical models for various applications in our middle-ear research. The important problem of registration of the 3-D model within the experimental reference frame is discussed. The commercial X-ray CT apparatus is also compared with X-ray CT using synchrotron radiation, with magnetic resonance microscopy, with fluorescence optical sectioning, and with physical (histological) serial sections.