FIGURE 1.

Optical fiber insertion into the cochlea. This image of the experimental setup indicates the surgical access to the gerbil cochlea and the insertion of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is placed at the round window opening and is directed toward the modiolus, the central supporting structure of the cochlea that houses the projections of the spiral ganglion cells toward the central nervous system. The round window and the stapedial artery are shown as reference points. This image was compiled from serial photos of different focal planes of the cochlea.