VISUALIZATION OF THE LATERAL SKULL BASE OF THE CHINESE VISIBLE HUMAN

Objective To build digitized visible model of the lateral skull base of the Chinese visible human, providing morphological data for image diagnosis and lateral skull base surgery. Methods Crosssectional images of fresh tissues from the Chinese visible human data set were reviewed and the structures of the lateral skull base were confirmed on a sectionbysection basis. Threedimensional computer reconstructions of the lateral skull base and surrounding structures were generated from these data by volume rendering and surface rendering on a SGI workstation and a P4 personal computer. Results The quality of the computerized 3Dreconstructed images was distinct and perfect. The area of nerves and vessels in lateral skull base, the intratemporal structures, the internal carotid artery and adjacent structures and the cranial bony substance were all reconstructed and displayed jointly. All reconstructed structures can be represented individually or jointly, any diameter and angle of the structures reconstructed could be measured conveniently. Conclusion The Chinese visible human data set can provide complete and accurate data. The digitized model of the lateral skull base offer unique insights into the lateral skull base anatomy, and can be used for resident education, rehearsal of an unfamiliar surgery and for developing a new surgical approach.;