Figure 1.

Automatic segmentation and noise reduction algorithm for 3D visualization. 3D renderings of a part of the cochlea in sample S1 (5.5 μm resolution) showing the steps of automatic segmentation and noise reduction for 3D visualization corresponding to results in Figure 2. (A) Pre-processed volume (Table 3–Step 3) with structures of interest obscured by unconnected random noise. (B) Displays creating a mask (Table 4–Step 4). (C) Small unconnected particles are removed from the mask (Table 3–Step 5) and the mask is dilated (Table 3–Step 6,7). (D) The resulting volume after masking (Table 3–Step 8). ^*Tunnel of Corti. ST, Scala tympani; SV, Scala vestibule; RM, Reissner's membrane; Mo, Modiolus.