Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Cochlea01:13

The Cochlea

45.8K
The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.
45.8K
Hair Cells01:22

Hair Cells

41.3K
Hair cells are the sensory receptors of the auditory system—they transduce mechanical sound waves into electrical energy that the nervous system can understand. Hair cells are located in the organ of Corti within the cochlea of the inner ear, between the basilar and tectorial membranes. The actual sensory receptors are called inner hair cells. The outer hair cells serve other functions, such as sound amplification in the cochlea, and are not discussed in detail here.
41.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Evaluating the applicability of computational super-resolution techniques for harmonic generation microscopy.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Characterization of inner ear granular bodies by polarization-resolved second harmonic generation microscopy.

Biomedical optics express·2026
Same author

Erratum: Imaging otoconia by second harmonic generation microscopy: erratum.

Biomedical optics express·2026
Same author

Canadian Spine Society: 25th Annual Scientific Conference, February 25 to 28, 2025, Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, La Malbaie, Charlevoix, Que., Canada.

Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie·2025
Same author

Polar organization of H&E dyes in histology tissue revealed by polarimetric nonlinear microscopy.

Biomedical optics express·2025
Same author

Reassessing the minimal clinically important differences of patient-reported outcomes in cervical myelopathy: a patient-centered approach from the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network.

Journal of neurosurgery. Spine·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Investigating Outer Hair Cell Motility with a Combination of External Alternating Electrical Field Stimulation and High-speed Image Analysis
09:35

Investigating Outer Hair Cell Motility with a Combination of External Alternating Electrical Field Stimulation and High-speed Image Analysis

Published on: July 18, 2011

13.6K

Second harmonic generation microscopy of otoconia.

Kennedy Brittain1,2, MacAulay Harvey1, Richard Cisek1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Saint Mary's University, 923 Robie Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3C3, Canada.

Biomedical Optics Express
|July 5, 2022
PubMed
Summary

The organic matrix, not calcite, generates the second harmonic generation (SHG) signal in otoconia. This finding, supported by experiments with calcite-dissolving agents, clarifies the origin of SHG in these crucial balance organs.

More Related Videos

In Ovo and Ex Ovo Methods to Study Avian Inner Ear Development
10:09

In Ovo and Ex Ovo Methods to Study Avian Inner Ear Development

Published on: June 16, 2022

2.5K
Auditory Brainstem Response and Outer Hair Cell Whole-cell Patch Clamp Recording in Postnatal Rats
09:23

Auditory Brainstem Response and Outer Hair Cell Whole-cell Patch Clamp Recording in Postnatal Rats

Published on: May 24, 2018

9.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Investigating Outer Hair Cell Motility with a Combination of External Alternating Electrical Field Stimulation and High-speed Image Analysis
09:35

Investigating Outer Hair Cell Motility with a Combination of External Alternating Electrical Field Stimulation and High-speed Image Analysis

Published on: July 18, 2011

13.6K
In Ovo and Ex Ovo Methods to Study Avian Inner Ear Development
10:09

In Ovo and Ex Ovo Methods to Study Avian Inner Ear Development

Published on: June 16, 2022

2.5K
Auditory Brainstem Response and Outer Hair Cell Whole-cell Patch Clamp Recording in Postnatal Rats
09:23

Auditory Brainstem Response and Outer Hair Cell Whole-cell Patch Clamp Recording in Postnatal Rats

Published on: May 24, 2018

9.6K

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Otoconia, calcium carbonate structures in the inner ear, are essential for balance.
  • Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) is a nonlinear optical phenomenon used to study material structures.
  • The origin of SHG in otoconia has been debated, with calcite, the main component, being a known SHG emitter.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the source of the Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) signal in otoconia.
  • To differentiate between calcite and the organic matrix as the origin of SHG in otoconia.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of SHG signal intensity between otoconia and pure calcite crystals.
  • Treatment of otoconia with a chelating agent to dissolve calcite.
  • Polarization-resolved SHG microscopy imaging.

Main Results:

  • SHG intensity from otoconia was approximately 41 times stronger than from pure calcite.
  • SHG intensity from otoconia increased after treatment with a chelating agent that dissolves calcite.
  • Polarization-resolved SHG microscopy revealed radial arrangement and ordered domains of SHG emitters.

Conclusions:

  • The organic matrix, not calcite, is the primary source of the SHG signal in otoconia.
  • The findings suggest a significant role for the organic matrix in the optical properties of otoconia.
  • The ordered, radial arrangement of SHG emitters may have functional implications for otoconia.