Two-Photon Microscopy Allows Imaging and Characterization of Cochlear Microvasculature In Vivo

Figure 2

Three-dimensional two-photon imaging of an explanted cochlea. (a) The schematic drawing shows the location of successive -images of the guinea pig cochlear lateral wall (dark grey) in relation to neighboring structures in a cross section of a cochlear turn. The images are recorded along the -direction using two-photon microscopy after application of Texas red-labeled dextran and excitation with 1180 nm. (b) Four of the equidistantly acquired optical sections were selected for representation in this figure to show specific features. A strong autofluorescence signal visualizes the bony capsule of the cochlea. *, radiating arteriole; ▲, stria vascularis capillaries; 1, organ of Corti; 2, membrane of Reissner; 3, basilar membrane; 4, scala vestibuli; 5, scala media; 6, scala tympani; 7, spiral ganglion.

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