3D Vector Reconstruction of the Neck Skeleton from the Anatomical Sections of Korean Visible Human at the Anatomical Laboratory of Paris Descartes

Abstract

Aim: To perform a vector 3D reconstruction of the neck skeleton from the anatomical sections of the “Korean Visible Human” for educational purposes. Material and Methods: The anatomical subject was a 33-year-old Korean male who died of leukemia. It measured 164 cm and weighed 55 kgs. The anatomical cuts were made in 2010 after an MRI and a CT scan. A special saw (cryomacrotome) made it possible to make cuts on the frozen body of 0.2 mm thick or 5960 slices. Sections numbered 1500 to 2000 (500 neck sections) were used for this study. Manual contouring segmentation of each anatomical element of the anterior neck area was done using Winsurf software version 3.5 on a PC. Results: Our vector 3D neck model includes the following: cervical vertebrae, hyoid bone, sternum manubrium and clavicles. This vector model has been integrated into the virtual dissection table Diva3d, a new educational tool used by universities and medical schools to learn anatomy. This model was also put online on the Sketchfab website and printed in 3D using an ENDER 3 printer. Conclusion: This original work is a remarkable educational tool for the study of the skeleton of the neck and can also serve as a 3D atlas for simulation purposes for training therapeutic gestures.