Identification of cranial nerve ganglia using sectioned images and three-dimensional models of a cadaver

Abstract

Background: Cranial nerve ganglia, which are prone to viral infections and tumors, are located deep in the head, so their detailed anatomy is difficult to understand using conventional cadaver dissection. For locating the small ganglia in medical images, their sectional anatomy should be learned by medical students and doctors. The purpose of this study is to elucidate cranial ganglia anatomy using sectioned images and three-dimensional (3D) models of a cadaver.

Methods: One thousand two hundred and forty-six sectioned images of a male cadaver were examined to identify the cranial nerve ganglia. Using the real color sectioned images, real color volume model having a voxel size of 0.4 × 0.4 × 0.4 mm was produced.

Results: The sectioned images and 3D models can be downloaded for free from a webpage, anatomy.dongguk.ac.kr/ganglia. On the images and model, all the cranial nerve ganglia and their whole course were identified. In case of the facial nerve, the geniculate, pterygopalatine, and submandibular ganglia were clearly identified. In case of the glossopharyngeal nerve, the superior, inferior, and otic ganglia were found. Thanks to the high resolution and real color of the sectioned images and volume models, detailed observation of the ganglia was possible. Since the volume models can be cut both in orthogonal planes and oblique planes, advanced sectional anatomy of the ganglia can be explained concretely.

Conclusions: The sectioned images and 3D models will be helpful resources for understanding cranial nerve ganglia anatomy, for performing related surgical procedures.

Keywords: Anatomy; Cadaver; Cranial Nerves; Cross-Sectional; Dissection; Facial Nerve; Ganglia; Glossopharyngeal Nerve; Imaging; Neuroanatomy.; Parasympathetic; Three-Dimensional.

Fig. 1

Procedure to identify trigeminal ganglion in the horizontally sectioned images of a cadaver. To identify trigeminal ganglion, starting point (A) of the trigeminal nerve is observed in the sectioned images of brainstem. By tracking trigeminal nerve fibers, the ganglion (B) is observed. To confirm the location of the ganglion, ending point (C) of trigeminal nerve is observed.

Fig. 2

Ten cranial nerve ganglia and adjacent structures identified in the horizontally sectioned images of a cadaver. Ten cranial nerve ganglia (A, ciliary ganglion; B, trigeminal ganglion; C, geniculate ganglion and vestibular ganglion; D, pterygopalatine ganglion; E, submandibular ganglion; F, superior ganglion of vagus nerve; G, otic ganglion; H, inferior ganglion of vagus nerve) and adjacent structures are identified and labeled in the sectioned images (IX, glossopharyngeal nerve; X, vagus nerve).

Fig. 3

Cranial nerve ganglia located near the internal acoustic meatus. Cranial nerve ganglia (A, spiral ganglion; B, geniculate ganglion and vestibular ganglion) and adjacent structures near the internal acoustic meatus and cochlea are identified and labeled in the sectioned images.

Fig. 4

Volume models of the whole head of a male cadaver and the cranial nerve ganglia. Real color volume model of the male cadaveric head (A) can be cut freely even in oblique plane (B). The overlay files of the cranial nerve ganglia can be displayed together with the volume model (C).

Fig. 5

Cranial nerve ganglia identified in the sagittal section of the volume model. The spatial relationships of the ciliary ganglion (A) and pterygopalatine ganglion (B) can be understood with adjacent structures in the sagittal section of the volume model.

Fig. 6

Cranial nerve ganglia identified in the coronal section of the volume model (IX, glossopharyngeal nerve; X, vagus nerve). The spatial relationships of the cranial nerve ganglia (A, trigeminal ganglion; B, submandibular ganglion; C, superior and inferior ganglia of glossopharyngeal and vagus nerve; D, otic ganglion) can be understood with adjacent structures in the coronal section of the volume model.