Three-dimensional reconstruction of the rat triceps surae muscle and finite element mesh generation of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle.
In order to simulate blood flow in skeletal muscle, our group has developed a finite element description of perfused skeletal muscle. This model requires input parameters concerning the vascular system, muscle contraction and the geometry of a muscle, including its aponeuroses. The objective of the present paper is to create a geometrical reconstruction of the rat gastrocnemius medialis muscle that can be incorporated in the finite element model. Since this muscle is connected to the plantaris and the gastrocnemius lateralis muscle, a detailed computer graphical reconstruction of the triceps surae muscle, based on histological cross-sections, has been accomplished first. Using this reconstruction, relevant sections were selected to create the finite element mesh of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle. Special attention was payed to the location of the aponeuroses. The mesh can be used in finite element simulations of perfused skeletal muscle.
van Donkelaar
C C
CC
Department of Movement Sciences, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Drost
M R
MR
van Mameren
H
H
Tuinenburg
C F
CF
Janssen
J D
JD
Huson
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008954:Models, Biological; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology