BACKGROUND: The curved sectional planes of the human body can provide a new approach of surface anatomy that the classical horizontal, coronal, and sagittal planes cannot do. The purpose of this study was to verify whether the curved sectional planes contribute to the morphological comprehension of anatomical structures. METHODS: By stacking the sectioned images of a male cadaver, a volume model of the right half body was produced (voxel size 1 mm). The sectioned images with the segmentation data were also used to build another volume model. The volume models were peeled and rotated to be screen captured. The captured images were loaded on user-friendly browsing software that had been made in the laboratory. RESULTS: The browsing software was downloadable from the authors' homepage (anatomy.co.kr). On the software, the volume model was peeled at 1 mm thicknesses and rotated at 30 degrees. Since the volume models were made from the cadaveric images, actual colors of the structures were displayed in high resolution. Thanks to the segmentation data, the structures on the volume model could be automatically annotated. Using the software, the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the internal jugular vein in the neck region, the cubital fossa in the upper limb region, and the femoral triangle in the lower limb region were observed to be described. CONCLUSION: For the students learning various medical procedures, the software presents the needed graphic information of the human body. The curved sectional planes are expected to be a tool for disciplinary convergence of the sectional anatomy and surface anatomy.
Anatomy, Cross-Sectional ; Cadaver* ; Comprehension ; Education ; Human Body ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Jugular Veins ; Learning ; Lower Extremity ; Male* ; Neck ; Upper Extremity ; Visible Human Projects

BACKGROUND: Volume models made from magnetic resonance images on computed tomographs can produce horizontal, coronal, sagittal, and oblique planes that are used widely in clinics, although detailed structures cannot be identified. Existing real color volume models are mostly commercial and their production methods have not been released. The aim of this study was to distribute free of charge, real-color volume models produced from sectioned images with the production method. METHODS: The original voxel size of sectioned images was increased appropriately so that the volume model could be handled by typical personal computers. By using Dicom Browser and MRIcroGL, the sectioned images were processed to become the volume models. RESULTS: On the MRIcroGL, the resultant volume model with the voxel size of 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 mm3 could be displayed and freely rotated. By adjusting variables of the software, desired oblique planes could be produced instantly. With overlay function, a model of segmented structure can be overlapped to the entire volume models. The sectioned images with high quality and the segmentation data of Visible Korean enabled the identification of detailed anatomical structures on the planes. CONCLUSION: The volume models can be used by medical students and doctors for learning sectional anatomy. Other researchers can utilize the method of this study to produce volume models from their own sectioned images.
Anatomy, Cross-Sectional ; Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Learning ; Methods ; Microcomputers ; Students, Medical ; Visible Human Projects

BACKGROUND: The hand anatomy, including the complicated hand muscles, can be grasped by using computer-assisted learning tools with high quality two-dimensional images and three-dimensional models. The purpose of this study was to present up-to-date software tools that promote learning of stereoscopic morphology of the hand. METHODS: On the basis of horizontal sectioned images and outlined images of a male cadaver, vertical planes, volume models, and surface models were elaborated. Software to browse pairs of the sectioned and outlined images in orthogonal planes and software to peel and rotate the volume models, as well as a portable document format (PDF) file to select and rotate the surface models, were produced. RESULTS: All of the software tools were downloadable free of charge and usable off-line. The three types of tools for viewing multiple aspects of the hand could be adequately employed according to individual needs. CONCLUSION: These new tools involving the realistic images of a cadaver and the diverse functions are expected to improve comprehensive knowledge of the hand shape.
Anatomy, Regional ; Cadaver ; Computer-Assisted Instruction ; Hand Strength ; Hand ; Humans ; Learning ; Male ; Muscles ; Visible Human Projects

The authors have operated the homepage (http://anatomy.co.kr) to provide the learning contents of anatomy. From the homepage, sectioned images, volume models, and surface models—all Visible Korean products—can be downloaded. The realistic images can be interactively manipulated, which will give rise to the interest in anatomy. The various anatomy comics (learning comics, comic strips, plastination comics, etc.) are approachable. Visitors can obtain the regional anatomy book with concise contents, mnemonics, and schematics as well as the simplified dissection manual and the pleasant anatomy essay. Medical students, health allied professional students, and even laypeople are expected to utilize the easy and comforting anatomy contents. It is hoped that other anatomists successively produce and distribute their own informative contents.
Anatomists ; Anatomy, Regional ; Hope ; Humans ; Internet ; Learning* ; Students, Medical ; Visible Human Projects

The thousands of serial images used for medical pedagogy cannot be included in a printed book; they also cannot be efficiently handled by ordinary image viewer software. The purpose of this study was to provide browsing software to grasp serial medical images efficiently. The primary function of the newly programmed software was to select images using 3 types of interfaces: buttons or a horizontal scroll bar, a vertical scroll bar, and a checkbox. The secondary function was to show the names of the structures that had been outlined on the images. To confirm the functions of the software, 3 different types of image data of cadavers (sectioned and outlined images, volume models of the stomach, and photos of the dissected knees) were inputted. The browsing software was downloadable for free from the homepage (anatomy.co.kr) and available off-line. The data sets provided could be replaced by any developers for their educational achievements. We anticipate that the software will contribute to medical education by allowing users to browse a variety of images.
Body Image ; Cadaver ; Dataset ; Education, Medical ; Educational Status ; Hand Strength ; Learning* ; Stomach ; Teaching ; Visible Human Projects

OBJECTIVETo validate the previous anatomic study result about angle nerve of facial nerve through 3-dimensional (3-D) visualization technique, so as to provide theory basis for clinic treatment of nerve loss.

METHODThe full-thickness soft tissue at internal side of inner canthus was harvested from adult cadaveric head. The skin was 3 cm in length and 1 cm in width, with 2 parallel cut lines as location markers. The specimen was sliced continuously into 120 slices, with 10 microm in thickness for every slice, 0.25 mm apart. The slices underwent HE staining and 2-D digital image was gained by high resolution scanner. Then 3-D reconstruction was performed.

RESULTS(1) It showed the 3-D structures and routes of angle nerve, as well as the relationship between angle nerve and angle arteriovenous. All the reconstructed structures can be displayed together or separately, also from any angles. (2) It confirmed the accuracy of microscopic anatomy study about angle nerve. (3) The 3-D reconstruction of angle nerve, as well as the surrounding structure could be very useful for clinical application.

CONCLUSIONBased on the histologic study and computer technology, the 3-D reconstruction of angle nerve could provide accurate basis for the feasibility of clinic treatment of angle nerve loss.

Adult ; Facial Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Visible Human Projects

Unlike volume models, surface models, which are empty three-dimensional images, have a small file size, so they can be displayed, rotated, and modified in real time. Thus, surface models of male urogenital organs can be effectively applied to an interactive computer simulation and contribute to the clinical practice of urologists. To create high-quality surface models, the urogenital organs and other neighboring structures were outlined in 464 sectioned images of the Visible Korean male using Adobe Photoshop; the outlines were interpolated on Discreet Combustion; then an almost automatic volume reconstruction followed by surface reconstruction was performed on 3D-DOCTOR. The surface models were refined and assembled in their proper positions on Maya, and a surface model was coated with actual surface texture acquired from the volume model of the structure on specially programmed software. In total, 95 surface models were prepared, particularly complete models of the urinary and genital tracts. These surface models will be distributed to encourage other investigators to develop various kinds of medical training simulations. Increasingly automated surface reconstruction technology using commercial software will enable other researchers to produce their own surface models more effectively.
Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Research Personnel ; Urogenital System ; Visible Human Projects

BACKGROUNDComparing with two dimensional (2D) imaging, both in diagnosis and treatment, three dimensional (3D) imaging has many advantages in clinical medicine. 3D reconstruction makes the target easier to identify and reveals the volume and shape of the organ much better than 2D imaging. A 3D digitized visible model of the liver was built to provide anatomical structure for planing of hepatic operation and for realizing accurate simulation of the liver on the computer.

METHODSTransverse sections of abdomen were chosen from the Chinese Visible Human dataset. And Amira software was selected to segment and reconstruct the structures of the liver. The liver was reconstructed in three-dimensions with both surface and volume rendering reconstruction.

RESULTSAccurately segmented images of the main structures of the liver were completed. The reconstructed structures can be displayed singly, in small groups or as a whole and can be continuously rotated in 3D space at different velocities.

CONCLUSIONSThe reconstructed liver is realistic, which demonstrates the natural shape and exact position of liver structures. It provides an accurate model for the automated segmentation algorithmic study and a digitized anatomical mode of viewing the liver.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Liver ; anatomy & histology ; Male ; Software ; Visible Human Projects

The China Mechanical Virtual Human (CMVH) is a human musculoskeletal biomechanical simulation platform based on China Visible Human slice images; it has great realistic application significance. In this paper is introduced the construction method of CMVH 3D models. Then a simulation system solution based on Creator/Vega is put forward for the complex and gigantic data characteristics of the 3D models. At last, combined with MFC technology, the CMVH simulation system is developed and a running simulation scene is given. This paper provides a new way for the virtual reality application of CMVH.
Algorithms ; Anatomy, Cross-Sectional ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; China ; Computer Graphics ; Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Models, Biological ; Muscle, Skeletal ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Software ; User-Computer Interface ; Visible Human Projects

The second Chinese visible human (CVH) data has been used to build a more precise finite element model of Chinese head via 3-D image reconstruction, solid model reconstruction, finite element meshing, and assembling of finite element model. This second case of finite element model of Chinese head contains skull, facial bones, inferior maxilla, cerebral falx, brain, cerebellum brainstem, and so on. All the mesh elements, according to their main quality check results in line with the engineering requirements, were identified as solid elements, and the numbers of nodes and elements were determined to be 31 223 and 19 911 respectively. The model is coincident with the anatomy of human head; and its accuracy in some region, especially in fundus cranii and fundus cranii, is more excellent than that of the other models based on CT/MRL The development of the first head finite element model based on CVH data has brought on a remarkable progress in the application of CVH platform.
China ; Finite Element Analysis ; Head ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Visible Human Projects