The virtual temporal bone.
The human temporal bone is a 3-dimensionally complex portion of the skull that contains delicate and vital anatomic structures imbedded within dense bone. Current teaching tools have proven to be only marginally adequate for the needs of the aspiring otologic surgeon in learning this anatomy. A variety of image processing and reconstruction techniques were used to reconstruct an anatomically accurate 3-dimensional model of the human temporal bone from serial histologic sections. Using CAVE technology, the model can be manipulated in a stereoscopic virtual environment so that it can be studied from any viewpoint, greatly simplifying the task of learning this anatomy. Applications in surgical planning and Internet based teaching are discussed.
Mason
T P
TP
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Illinois, Chicago College of Medicine, Eye and Ear Infirmary (M/C 648) 60612, USA.
Applebaum
E L
EL
Rasmussen
M
M
Millman
A
A
Evenhouse
R
R
Panko
W
W
D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education*; D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery