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bioRxiv
BIORXIV
bioRxiv
2692-8205
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

10.1101/2024.08.16.608342
preprint
1
Article
Computational model of the human cochlea with motion of the layered osseous spiral lamina
Tubelli Andrew
Secchia Paul
Nakajima Hideko Heidi
Puria Sunil
19 8 2024
2024.08.16.608342https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use.
http://biorxiv.org/lookup/doi/10.1101/2024.08.16.608342
nihpp-2024.08.16.608342.pdf
Purpose: In the base of the human cochlea, the partition anatomy is distinct from the commonly recognized anatomy of laboratory animals. The human features a radially wide, osseous spiral lamina (OSL) and a soft-tissue bridge region that connects the OSL to the basilar membrane proper. In addition to the basilar membrane, the human OSL and bridge move considerably. We investigated the complex cochlear partition in human emphasizing the layered structure of the OSL with a finite element model. Model results were calibrated with experimental measurements of motion from optical coherence tomography. Methods: The box model contained two fluid chambers separated by a cochlear partition and a helicotrema. Model geometrical and material properties either came from literature, measurements, or were tuned to produce a frequency-place map for the passive human cochlea as well as motion results similar to experimental measurements. Results: The model motion results of the cochlear partition were similar to experimental results mostly within 5 dB but with differences at the high frequencies in both magnitude and phase beyond the best frequency. Around the best frequency location, the radial profile of cochlear partition motion was generally similar in both shape and magnitude. Sensitivity analysis, changing material-property parameters of the middle layer where the cochlear nerve fibers run between the layers of OSL plates, produced small changes in the model response and also showed negligible stress compared to the outer OSL plates. Conclusion: These results suggest that the layered OSL anatomy is favorable as a conduit and protection for the nerve fibers while simultaneously functioning as a mechanical lever.
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pmc
