Figure 1 | Scientific Reports

Figure 1

From: The effect of the surgical approach and cochlear implant electrode on the structural integrity of the cochlea in human temporal bones

Figure 1

A cross section of the cochlea is depicted with an implanted electrode array. The electrode array is implanted in the scala tympani, using either the round window or a small hole in the cochlea (cochleostomy) for entry. The array follows the spiral curvature of the cochlea from the base of the cochlea towards the apex. Arrays usually reach at least around one turn and half, depending on the exact length of the array. Perimodiolar arrays are positioned more towards the spiral ganglion cells of the auditory nerve and beneath the osseous spiral lamina, and in contrast, lateral wall arrays are positioned laterally towards spiral ligament and beneath basilar membrane. In some cases the array can translocate during insertion (i.e. STL) from ST to SV or SM, which is detrimental for the structures that lie in between. RW round window, CO cochleostomy, AN auditory nerve, STL scalar translocation, ST scala tympani, SV scala vestibule, SM scala media, LW lateral wall, PM perimodiolar.

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