Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2018 Sep 17:5:2382120518799356.
doi: 10.1177/2382120518799356. eCollection 2018 Jan-Dec.

Photogrammetry of Human Specimens: An Innovation in Anatomy Education

Aldis H Petriceks  1 , Ashley S Peterson  2 , Miguel Angeles  1 , W Paul Brown  1 , Sakti Srivastava  1
Affiliations

Photogrammetry of Human Specimens: An Innovation in Anatomy Education

Aldis H Petriceks et al. J Med Educ Curric Dev. .

Abstract

Cadaver-based anatomical education is supplemented by a wide range of pedagogical tools-from artistic diagrams, to photographs and videos, to 3-dimensional (3D) models. However, many of these supplements either simplify the true anatomy or are limited in their use and distribution. Photogrammetry, which overlaps 2-dimensional (2D) photographs to create digital 3D models, addresses such shortcomings by creating interactive, authentic digital models of cadaveric specimens. In this exploratory pilot study, we used a photogrammetric setup and rendering software developed by an outside group to produce digital 3D models of 8 dissected specimens of regional anatomy. The photogrammetrically produced anatomical models authentically and precisely represented their original specimens. These interactive models were deemed accurate and teachable by faculty at the Stanford University Division of Clinical Anatomy. Photogrammetry is, according to these results, another possible method for rendering cadaveric materials into interactive 3D models, which can be used for anatomical education. These models are more detailed than many computer-generated versions and provide more visuospatial information than 2D images. Future researchers and educators could use such technology to create institutional libraries of digital 3D anatomy for medical education.

Keywords: 3D models; Medical education; anatomical models; anatomy education; digital anatomy; photogrammetry; prosections.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interests:The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The authors of this study are all affiliates of the Stanford University Division of Clinical Anatomy, which collaborates with Anatomage, Inc. for medical education purposes only. Anatomage, Inc. may patent and profit from the described method in the future. None of the authors have any financial ties to Anatomage, Inc.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Anterior and posterior views of Single-Organ Specimen 3D Models. (A) Liver with metastatic tumors, (B) spleen, and (C) uterus with fibroids and ovarian cyst. Models shown on the Anatomage, Inc. InVivo software.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Anterior and posterior views of Multiple-Organ Specimen 3D Models. (A) Heart with great vessels and lungs and (B) heart with great vessels, abdominal aorta, renal arteries, kidneys, and ureters. Models shown on the Anatomage, Inc. InVivo software.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Sagittal skull cross section. Model shown on the Anatomage, Inc. InVivo software.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Stepwise dissection models. (A) Anterior forearm and wrist and (B) anterior torso. Models shown on the Anatomage, Inc. InVivo software.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Parker LM. Anatomical dissection: why are we cutting it out? dissection in undergraduate teaching. ANZ J Surg. 2002;72:910–912. doi: 10.1046/j.1445-2197.2002.02596.x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. McLachlan JC, Patten D. Anatomy teaching: ghosts of the past, present and future. Med Educ. 2006;40:243–253. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2929.2006.02401.x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Raja DS, Sultana B. Potential health hazards for students exposed to formaldehyde in the gross anatomy laboratory. J Environ Health. 2012;74:36–40. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22329207. - PubMed
    1. Johnson EO, Charchanti AV, Troupis TG. Modernization of an anatomy class: from conceptualization to implementation. A case for integrated multimodal-multidisciplinary teaching. Anat Sci Educ. 2012;5:354–366. doi: 10.1002/ase.1296. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Lim KHA, Loo ZY, Goldie SJ, Adams JW, McMenamin PG. Use of 3D printed models in medical education: a randomized control trial comparing 3D prints versus cadaveric materials for learning external cardiac anatomy. Anat Sci Educ. 2016;9:213–221. doi: 10.1002/ase.1573. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources