FIG. 2.

Confocal microscopy of a human round window membrane (HRWM) stained with Rhodamine B. A, a maximum intensity projection along the z-axis (into the page), viewed from the inner ear side; note the uniformity in collagen and elastin fiber orientation (running top to bottom). The crista fenestra, a bony crest at the anteroinferior edge of the round window, was frequently used as a landmark for orienting images. The dark areas result from out of focus debris casting shadows in the image. B and C, two cross-sections through a HRWM in different locations. Orthogonal views such as these were used for measuring the HRWM thickness.