Knowledge of the pathologic basis of disease is central to the study of medicine. Otology is unique because the inner ear is inaccessible during life so that conventional techniques of pathologic studies such as biopsy and surgical excision are not feasible. Hence, insight into the pathologic basis of ear disease within the 3-dimensional framework of the inner ear and its surroundings can be obtained only by postmortem study of temporal bones and by developing better animal models. Improved understanding of the pathology and pathogenesis of auditory and vestibular system disorders will lead to more rational diagnosis and management of these disorders. The procurement, processing, and study of human temporal bones are time consuming and costly and is a research endeavor performed in the few existing temporal bone laboratories.