OBJECTIVETo establish a digital model allowing three-dimensional visualization of the structures involved in the anterior cervical segment approach.

METHODSBased on the imaging data obtained from CT angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance myelography (MRM) and continuous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a healthy volunteer (scanning from the center of the head to the inferior border of the T3 level), image segmentation and reconstruction for the skeleton, arteries, veins, and spinal cord was conducted semi-automatically using the Mimics software according to the different thresholds of the tissues. The cervical plexus, brachial plexus and muscles of the neck were reconstructed with the Nerves pipe editor and the Med CAD module to establishing the three-dimensional model for displaying the structures involved in the anterior cervical segment approach.

RESULTSA three-dimensional digital model of the structures involved in the anterior cervical segment anterior approach was established, which allowed the display of anatomical relations of the skeletal structure, aorta, superior vena cava, thyroid gland, hyoid bone, laryngeal cartilages, trachea, lung, 12 neck muscle groups, as well as the spinal cord, spinal nerves, cervical plexus, brachial plexus, and intervertebral disk of the neck.

CONCLUSIONThe three-dimensional model established can allow the visualization of the important structures for the anterior cervical segment approach, and provides a medical teaching platform for anatomy and surgical training.