OBJECTIVETo build a digital visible model of the mandible in order to provide morphological data for image diagnosis and operation of mandible diseases.

METHODSA male adult cadaver specimen was taken for the purpose of study. A digital human databank was got after fixation, perfusion, refrigeration, embedding, section and photograph of the specimen. The thickness of each layer was 0.1 mm. To select mandible image data from chin to condyle and to draw an outline of mandible and teeth image of each layer in 2D Adobe photoshop 8.0. Finally, reconstruct 3D model of mandible was set up in Amira reconstruction software.

RESULTSA 3D model of mandible was formed accurately using of digital human data. The model was fine, visible and displayed cross-section image of mandible. The anatomical shape of nmandible and mandibular teeth were vividly reappeared in three-dimension. The location and trend of mandibular nerve canal were clearly appeared in the transparent model of mandible. The model could be revolved in 3D.

CONCLUSIONThe study got a complete and exact cross-section data. The visualization of mandible can be realized in Amira reconstruction software. The reconstituted organs can be recovered to the natural state.