title: Graphic and movie illustrations of human prenatal development and their application to embryological education based on the human embryo specimens in the Kyoto collection.
abstract: Morphogenesis in the developing embryo takes place in three dimensions, and in addition, the dimension of time is another important factor in development. Therefore, the presentation of sequential morphological changes occurring in the embryo (4D visualization) is essential for understanding the complex morphogenetic events and the underlying mechanisms. Until recently, 3D visualization of embryonic structures was possible only by reconstruction from serial histological sections, which was tedious and time-consuming. During the past two decades, 3D imaging techniques have made significant advances thanks to the progress in imaging and computer technologies, computer graphics, and other related techniques. Such novel tools have enabled precise visualization of the 3D topology of embryonic structures and to demonstrate spatiotemporal 4D sequences of organogenesis. Here, we describe a project in which staged human embryos are imaged by the magnetic resonance (MR) microscope, and 3D images of embryos and their organs at each developmental stage were reconstructed based on the MR data, with the aid of computer graphics techniques. On the basis of the 3D models of staged human embryos, we constructed a data set of 3D images of human embryos and made movies to illustrate the sequential process of human morphogenesis. Furthermore, a computer-based self-learning program of human embryology is being developed for educational purposes, using the photographs, histological sections, MR images, and 3D models of staged human embryos.
authors.affiliation: Congenital Anomaly Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Shigehito
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Chigako
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Uwabe
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakatsu-Komatsu
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Minekura
authors.forename: Masaji
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iwakura
authors.forename: Tamaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Motoki
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishimiya
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iiyama
authors.forename: Koh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kakusho
authors.forename: Michihiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Minoh
authors.forename: Shinobu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mizuta
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: Yoshimasa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haishi
authors.forename: Katsumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kose
authors.forename: Shingo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: Kohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shiota
mesh_terms: D000716:Anatomy, Artistic; D003196:Computer Graphics; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000196:embryology*; D004626:Embryology / Q000193:education*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007564:Japan; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008488:Medical Illustration; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009040:Motion Pictures; D012984:Software; D014015:Tissue Banks