Three-dimensional tonotopic mapping of the human cochlea based on synchrotron radiation phase-contrast imaging

The human cochlea transforms sound waves into electrical signals in the acoustic nerve fibers with high acuity. This transformation occurs via vibrating anisotropic membranes (basilar and tectorial membranes) and frequency-specific hair cell receptors. Frequency-positions can be mapped within the cochlea to create a tonotopic chart which fits an almost-exponential function with lowest frequencies positioned apically and highest frequencies positioned at the cochlear base (Bekesy 1960, Greenwood 1961). To date, models of frequency positions have been based on a two-dimensional analysis with inaccurate representations of the cochlear hook region. In the present study, the first three-dimensional frequency analysis of the cochlea using dendritic mapping to obtain accurate tonotopic maps of the human basilar membrane/organ of Corti and the spiral ganglion was performed. A novel imaging technique, synchrotron radiation phase-contrast imaging, was used and a spiral ganglion frequency function was estimated by nonlinear least squares fitting a Greenwood-like function (F = A (10^ax - K)) to the data. The three-dimensional tonotopic data presented herein has large implications for validating electrode position and creating customized frequency maps for cochlear implant recipients.