Three dimensional digitization of human anatomy models

Abstract

Human anatomy models are useful to teach students the real image of three-dimensional human body structure. However, most of them are not so constantly utilized on the anatomy lecture. To put these models into practical use, several human anatomy models, including heart, cerebral ventricle, larynx, skull, brain, were digitized three-dimensionally by using a software, Strata Foto 3D, which make it possible to convert pictures of real objects taken with a ordinary camera into 3-dimensional models.
Three-dimensional digitization was successful with the models of simple outer surfaces such as heart and brain, and their surface reality was reproduced by the texture mapping technique. Outer surface images of larynx and skull were also reproduced successfully, however, appearance of large hole or deep indentation of them could not be reconstructed with this method.
Digitized model image on the display can be rotate, enlarge or reduce its size freely. So, it was considered that these digitized human anatomy models will be useful to realize the true 3D appearance of human body structure both for students and teacher.