A mathematical model of human semicircular canal geometry: a new basis for interpreting vestibular physiology.

ABSTRACT: We report a precise, simple, and accessible method of mathematically measuring and modeling the three-dimensional (3D) geometry of semicircular canals (SCCs) in living humans. Knowledge of this geometry helps understand the development and physiology of SCC stimulation. We developed a framework of robust techniques that automatically and accurately reconstruct SCC geometry from computed tomography (CT) images and are directly validated using micro-CT as ground truth. This framework measures the 3D centroid paths of the bony SCCs allowing direct comparison and analysis between ears within and between subjects. An average set of SCC morphology is calculated from 34 human ears, within which other geometrical attributes such as nonplanarity, radius of curvature, and inter-SCC angle are examine

SUBMITTER: Bradshaw AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2862918 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature