High resolution, contrast-enhanced X-ray microscopy of the

Background: The human cochlea is a fragile, spiral-shaped sensory organ for hearing that is deeply embedded within the dense otic capsule bone, making accurate post-mortem anatomical studies difficult when using conventional histological approaches requiring sectioning. X-ray microscopy (XRM) is a non-destructive radiological imaging modality that combines geometric and optical magnification to achieve high-resolution 3D visualization. Methods: Here, we evaluated the ability of XRM to resolve the entire inner ear, including delineating soft tissue and bony structures, in trimmed human temporal bones Results: XRM enabled visualization of the entire cochlea and vestibular system, from millimeter-scale labyrinthine anatomy to submillimeter and micrometer-scale cochlear structures, including spiral ganglion nerve fiber bundles and sensory cell rows. Quantitative analysis in a representative case demonstrated an increasing width-to-height ratio of the organ of Corti from the basal to the apical cochlear turns, consistent with histology images and prior anatomical studies. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that XRM provides high-resolution, sectioning-free