title: [Construction and use of a virtual anthropomorphic phantom of the bronchial tree].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Usually, phantoms are used to quantify properties of computer algorithms working on spiral CT data. The high complexity of the human bronchial tree, however, complicates the construction of a physical phantom enormously; hence, a virtual phantom must be employed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Because the human bronchial tree is fractal, Lindenmayer systems were utilized to generate its structure. Applying the correct diameter and length ratios and branching angles, a virtual anthropomorphic phantom could be generated by a three-dimensional turtle graphic. The simulation of a spiral CT measurement on the virtual phantom delivered synthetic spiral CT data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The computer-controlled growing process supplies exact morphologic and morphometric data. The spiral CT simulation saves the time-consuming and complicated generation of a physical phantom.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The virtual phantom can be completed by the introduction of blood vessels and lung parenchyma partitioned into lobes and segments. The field of application can thus be extended.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Physik, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. Markus.Blank@imp.uni-erlangen.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blank
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Kalender
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000254:growth & development; D001995:Bronchography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002648:Child; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017709:Fractals; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014584:User-Computer Interface