Abstract:Pathology of the inner ear is a research branch of otology using morphological experimental techniques to study the causes, the development process and damage mechanisms of the inner ear diseases. The general field of pathology of the inner ear includes sectioning of the temporal bone or membranous labyrinth, cochlear and vestibular microdissections and surface preparations, histology and histochemistry, preparations of membranous labyrinth for observation under scanning and transmission electron microscope, and electron microscopic cytochemistry, etc. This article has described in detail the occurrence, development and current status of abovementioned techniques for pathological studies in the inner ear. Based on our own experiences and many years of innovative practices, the advantages and disadvantages of each technology and their technical details were also discussed.