Combining published literature, radiographic imaging, and medical illustration, this
study aimed to develop an anatomically accurate 3-dimensional (3D) digital model of
the human tongue, and to make this model publicly available for education and training
purposes. The intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue were manually segmented
from a head and neck CT angiogram of a healthy 29-year-old female. Data derived from
published anatomical studies were compiled to provide additional anatomical detail
to each tongue muscle. These anatomical details were then incorporated into a model
by a 3D medical illustrator. A total of nine muscles were segmented for this study,
along with the mandible and the hyoid bone. 3D meshes of the extrinsic muscles of
the tongue, intrinsic muscles of the tongue, and the mylohyoid were created from CT
angiography segmentation data. These meshes were refined in digital 3D space based
off data from peer-reviewed anatomical studies. The final model was then uploaded
to a publicly available 3D model repository. The tongue is a complex 3D organ with
important roles in swallowing, speaking, and airway protection. By combining radiographic
data with published anatomical descriptions, and through the collaboration between
neuroradiology, head and neck surgery, and medical illustration, we developed an anatomically
accurate, detailed 3D model of the oral tongue, which may serve as a powerful anatomy
teaching aid.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 21, 2022
Footnotes
There are no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.
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