title: Digital preservation of anatomical variation: 3D-modeling of embalmed and plastinated cadaveric specimens using uCT and MRI.
abstract: Anatomy educators have an opportunity to teach anatomical variations as a part of medical and allied health curricula using both cadaveric and three-dimensional (3D) digital models of these specimens. Beyond published cadaveric case reports, anatomical variations identified during routine gross anatomy dissection can be powerful teaching tools and a medium to discuss several anatomical sub-disciplines from embryology to medical imaging. The purpose of this study is to document how cadaveric anatomical variation identified during routine dissection can be scanned using medical imaging techniques to create two-dimensional axial images and interactive 3D models for teaching and learning of anatomical variations. Three cadaveric specimens (2 formalin embalmed, 1 plastinated) depicting anatomical variations and an embryological malformation were scanned using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and micro-computed tomography (μCT) for visualization in cross-section and for creation of 3D volumetric models. Results provide educational options to enable visualization and facilitate learning of anatomical variations from cross-sectional scans. Furthermore, the variations can be highlighted, digitized, modeled and manipulated using 3D imaging software and viewed in the anatomy laboratory in conjunction with traditional anatomical dissection. This study provides an example for anatomy educators to teach and describe anatomical variations in the undergraduate medical curriculum.
authors: School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Corps of Research of Instructional and Perceptual Technologies, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada. Electronic address: cmoore45@uwo.ca.
authors: Colin W
authors: CW
authors: Moore
authors: Corps of Research of Instructional and Perceptual Technologies, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada. Electronic address: tim.wilson@uwo.ca.
authors: Timothy D
authors: TD
authors: Wilson
authors: School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada. Electronic address: crice@uwo.ca.
authors: Charles L
authors: CL
authors: Rice
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education; D002102:Cadaver; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D066289:Data Curation / Q000379:methods*; D004615:Embalming / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D016613:Plastic Embedding / Q000379:methods; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface
keywords: 3D imaging; Anatomical variation; Medical education; Micro-computed tomography