The objective of this study was to develop an anatomically accurate three-dimensional
(3D) digital model of the soft palate, derived from patient imaging data and peer-reviewed
gross and microscopic anatomical studies, and to provide this model publically for
educational purposes. A head and neck CT angiography study of a healthy 29-year-old
female was segmented by a neuroradiologist and a head and neck cancer surgeon into
3D objects. Peer-reviewed anatomical literature was queried to provide additional
anatomical details. These details were then incorporated into the model with the assistance
of a 3D medical illustrator. Tissue segmentation derived from CTA provided baseline
anatomical structures to model the 5 paired muscles of the soft palate, the paired
eustachian tubes, and relevant bony architecture. Twelve peer-reviewed anatomical
studies contained sufficient anatomical descriptions to guide refinement of these
structures in digital 3D space. The final modeled objects were finalized by a medical
illustrator and then uploaded to a publicly available 3D model repository. The soft
palate is a dynamic 3D structure that plays an important role in essential functions
such as breathing, swallowing, and speaking. By combining tissue segmentation from
a normal neck CTA with published anatomical literature, and utilizing multidisciplinary
expertise, we developed an anatomically accurate, detailed 3D model of the soft palate,
which can serve as a powerful teaching aid for this complex region.
Keywords
Abbreviations:
2D = (2-dimensional), 3D = (3-dimensional), ET (eustachian tube), (L)PP ((longitudinal) palatopharyngeus), LVP (levator veli palatini), MU (musculus uvuli), PA (palatine aponeurosis), PG (palatoglossus), PH (pterygoid hamulus), TVP (tensor veli palatini)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 21, 2022
Footnotes
FINANCIAL MATERIAL & SUPPORT: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
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