Creation Of A Female And Male Segmentation Dataset Based On Chinese Visible Human (CVH) And Visualization Of Human Thorax And Pelvis

Background and objectivesSegmentation is a necessary step when creating realistic three-dimensional (3D)models. In order to build3D models of whole body structures and have a wider lateralapplication, the thin sectional anatomical images of the Chinese Visible Human (CVH)dataset should be segmented. The more detailed structures are segmented to providegreater potential for wider application of the segmented images including anatomicalresearch, anatomical education and medical simulation.The structures of superior mediastinum and their spatial relationships are complexand difficult to master. Although CT imaging is noninvasive and can be carried out inmany individuals, its weakness is clearly the visualization of small soft tissue structures.In this respect, the sectional anatomical approach of the CVH images is complementary,as it visualizes these small soft tissue structures due to the higher resolution in the plainof sectioning and the color of the different structures in the section. It is necessary tocompare visualization of the superior mediastinum based on computed tomography (CT)images and on the thin sections of the Chinese visible human (CVH) data set to provide asectional anatomical basis for diagnostic imaging of superior mediastinal pathology.Human pelvis has its deep position, limited accessibility and its anatomy is stillincompletely understood. So the structural features, such as the architecture of the levatorand sphincter ani complex, the urethral sphincter, and the perineal body and itsextensions remain topics of contention still attract attention. Furthermore, theconnections of these entities with neighbouring structures are still incompletelydelineated. Since human anatomical structures change with age, we began our study withCVH young adults. Then we try to generated a detailed3D topographic model of the pelvic floor including male and female models based on an in-depth study of6CVHyoung specimens.The main results and conclusions were as follows.1. After our semi-automatically segmentation,869structures of CVH male and860structures of CVH female were finished, and the formats for the segmented color-filled image data were PSD and PNG. In these segmented structures, nearly all skeletalmuscles included muscle belly and tendon, and hollow organs included their organ wallsand their lumen. Most nerve trunks, small arteries, lymph nodes, and lymph ducts werealso segmented. Many surface-rendering and volume-rendering organ models werecreated using these segmented images. The CVH male and female images represent thenormal Asian population. After segmentation, the images can be reconstructed directly in3D and greatly facilitate the biological modeling of physical and physiologicalinformation, a great help in improving medical and biological science in China.2. CVH sections of the mediastinum of a35-year old male were compared withplain and enhanced CT images of a45-year old male without apparent abnormalities inthe upper chest. In addition, a three-dimensional model based on the CVH sections wascompared with a model based on CT images. Three-dimensional surface and volumerendering of reconstructions of the CVH data set can help medical students and lessexperienced thoracic surgeons to familiarize themselves with the topographic anatomy ofthe superior mediastinal structures and their spatial relationships, and thus withinterpreting CT images of patients.3. With3D-DOCTOR and AMIRA software, the contour line of the organs inmale pelvis including rectum, bladder, male urethra, ureter, seminal vesicle, ductusdeferens, ejaculatory ducts, obturator internus, levator ani muscle, coccygeus, malepelvis, femur, prostatic nervous and venous plexus, urethral sphincter, perineal body,Cowper's glands, pelvic arteries and veins were segmented from the Chinese visiblehuman (CVH)-1data set and the three-dimensional surfaces of intrapelvic visceras weresuccessfully and accurately reconstructed via surface rendering, which can also bemanipulated individually and interactively. Combined with AMIRA software, surfacerendering reconstructed model of male urological organs and its adjacent structures viavolume rendering reconstruction can be displayed together clearly and actually. It concludes that deep transverse perineal muscle does not exist and the lower part ofurethral sphincter constitutes the deep transverse perineal muscle. It provides a learningtool of practicing virtual anatomy and virtual urological surgery for medical students andyounger surgeons.4. Four serial thin-sectional anatomical images from CVH young female pelviswere used, and46structures in pelvis were segmented and3D reconstructed.Levator ani muscle includes puborectalis and iliococcygeus, and the iliococcygeus hastwo layers including medial and lateral layers. The medial layer connects conjointlongitudinal muscle inferiorly and rectococcygeus medially. External anal sphincter hastwo subdivisions including subcutaneous and superficial parts. Deep part of EAS andpubrectalis are just one muscle. The lower part of urethral sphincter includes compressorurethrae and urethrovaginal sphincter, compressor urethrae does not connect levator animuscle directly. We did not find deep transverse perineal muscle, and the so-called deeptransverse perineal muscle should be compressor urethrae and urethrovaginal sphincter.The perineal body is located posteriorly to the vagina, medially to the bulbospongiousmuscle and the Bartholin's gland, and anteriorly to the crossing of the medial fibers ofthe superficial transverse perineal muscles, bulbocavernosus muscle and the analsphincter.