Construction of a digital anatomic atlas of the human globus pallidus internus in the standard stereotactic space

Objective To construct a digital atlas of the globus pallidus internus (Gpi) in the standard stereotactic space using the sectional images of the male cadaver from "Atlas of Chinese Visible Human (Male and Female)". Methods Identification and segmentation of the Gpi,and anterior and posterior commissures from the sectional images were performed. We established the stereotactic coordinate system and reconstructed 3D models of the Gpi. Results Gpi looks like a bean according to the reconstructed models; Putamen and globus pallidus lateral (Gpe) were also constructed; and the location of the Gpi and the relation of Gpi with both Putamen and Gpe were shown in the stereotactic space. The lenticular nucleus could rotate and stretch at any angles in the standard stereotactic space.Conclusion It is feasible to reconstruct the 3D models of the subnucleus in the stereotactic space from the sectional image of the cadaver. Key words: Brain atlas; Digitization; 3D reconstruction; Globus pallidus internus