Three-dimensional virtual model of the human temporal bone: a stand-alone, downloadable teaching tool.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a three-dimensional virtual model of a human temporal bone based on serial histologic sections.


BACKGROUND
The three-dimensional anatomy of the human temporal bone is complex, and learning it is a challenge for students in basic science and in clinical medicine.


METHODS
Every fifth histologic section from a normal 14-year-old male was digitized and imported into a general purpose three-dimensional rendering and analysis software package called Amira (version 3.1). The sections were aligned, and anatomic structures of interest were segmented.


RESULTS
The three-dimensional model is a surface rendering of these structures of interest, which currently includes the bone and air spaces of the temporal bone; the perilymph and endolymph spaces; the sensory epithelia of the cochlear and vestibular labyrinths; the ossicles and tympanic membrane; the middle ear muscles; the carotid artery; and the cochlear, vestibular, and facial nerves. For each structure, the surface transparency can be individually controlled, thereby revealing the three-dimensional relations between surface landmarks and underlying structures. The three-dimensional surface model can also be "sliced open" at any section and the appropriate raw histologic image superimposed on the cleavage plane. The image stack can also be resectioned in any arbitrary plane.


CONCLUSIONS
This model is a powerful teaching tool for learning the complex anatomy of the human temporal bone and for relating the two-dimensional morphology seen in a histologic section to the three-dimensional anatomy. The model can be downloaded from the Eaton-Peabody Laboratory web site, packaged within a cross-platform freeware three-dimensional viewer, which allows full rotation and transparency control.
Wang
Haobing
H
Eaton-Peabody Laboratory of Auditory Physiology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Otology & Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. haobing_wang@meei.harvard.edu
Northrop
Clarinda
C
Burgess
Barbara
B
Liberman
M Charles
MC
Merchant
Saumil N
SN
D000293:Adolescent; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D003051:Cochlea / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D013663:Teaching; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000033:anatomy & histology