title: Visualization of the omental bursa and its spatial relationships to left subphrenic extraperitoneal spaces by the second Chinese Visible Human model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In order to overcome the obstacle that detailed spatial relationships of the omental bursa to its related spaces cannot be displayed clearly by thick-slice sectional anatomical imaging and computed tomography, we designed a new approach to three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the omental bursa.
  
  
  METHODS
  By Amira(®) software, we employed thin-slice cross-sectional images of the upper abdomen retrieved from second Chinese Visible Human datasets to display the spatial relationships of the omental bursa to its related spaces, especially to the left subphrenic extraperitoneal spaces. Moreover, these spatial relationships were presented on 3D sections reconstructed from second Chinese Visible Human images and computed tomography images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of importance, the gastric bare area is located among the superior, inferior, and splenic recesses. The appearance of the foramen bursae omenti majoris is the only pathway communicating between the superior and inferior recesses of the omental bursa, and also is the anatomic landmark between the superior and inferior recesses. The splenic recess is surrounded from behind by the splenic bare area and the gastric bare area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As one of the subphrenic spaces, the omental bursa with its related spaces was imaged three-dimensionally using a visualization technique. Familiarity with the anatomic location and spatial relationships of the omental bursa to its related spaces may be beneficial for the differential diagnosis and intervention, improving outcome.
authors.affiliation: Postdoctoral Workstation, The General Surgery Center of the Peoples' Liberation Army, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu, 610083, Sichuan, People's Republic of China, xuliangxman@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Haotong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Ke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Maihong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Fuzhou
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012984:Software; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D053443:Visible Human Projects; D055815:Young Adult
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