The digital anatomist information system and its use in the generation and delivery of Web-based anatomy atlases.

Advances in network and imaging technology, coupled with the availability of 3-D datasets such as the Visible Human, provide a unique opportunity for developing information systems in anatomy that can deliver relevant knowledge directly to the clinician, researcher or educator. A software framework is described for developing such a system within a distributed architecture that includes spatial and symbolic anatomy information resources, Web and custom servers, and authoring and end-user client programs. The authoring tools have been used to create 3-D atlases of the brain, knee and thorax that are used both locally and throughout the world.

The cerebral ventricles: a computer-based interactive tutorial.

The computer-based tutorial, "The Cerebral Ventricles," enables the user to review the anatomy, imaging, and common pathologic conditions of the human cerebral ventricular system. The program runs on a workstation that includes a laser videodisk player and a videodisk with 21,000 still images plus motion sequences. By using a mouse to select specific portions of the anatomic diagram depicting the ventricles, the user can review different planes of normal gross anatomy, corresponding computed tomographic and magnetic resonance images of normal anatomy, images of gross specimens of different pathologic entities, and corresponding radiologic images.

Knowledge-based client-server approach to structural information retrieval: the Digital Anatomist Browser.

Structural information can be defined as data and knowledge about biological objects ranging in size from molecules to the whole body. A framework is described for organizing structural information around a well-defined set of terminology and semantic relationships, and for disseminating multimedia structural information by means of a wide-area information server that is accessible over the internet. A Macintosh-based client of this server, called the Digital Anatomist Browser, has been used to teach neuroanatomy for the last 2 years.

Videodisc animation of 3D computer reconstructions of the human brain.

Our group is creating a database of x-, y-, z- coordinates of central nervous system structures from serial cross-sections. We produce 3D computer images of the brain and its components and record them on videodisc. Useful animations include combining objects from different databases to correct anatomical scale, rendering a surface translucent to reveal underlying components, slicing and paging brain slabs with and without protruding individual objects, and dissecting functional pathways.

A multimedia Anatomy Browser incorporating a knowledge base and 3D images.

We describe a multimedia program for teaching anatomy. The program, called the Anatomy Browser, displays cross-sectional and topographical images, with outlines around structures and regions of interest. The user may point to these structures and retrieve text descriptions, view symbolic relationships between structures, or view spatial relationships by accessing 3-D graphics animations from videodiscs produced specifically for this program.

Pathophysiology of isolated lateral ventriculomegaly in shunted myelodysplastic children.

Eight myelodysplastic children developed isolated lateral ventriculomegaly following shunt insertion for progressive hydrocephalus after closure of a myelomeningocele. In all patients a low-pressure distal slit valve (Uni-shunt) system preceded development of an isolated contralateral ventricle. Six of 8 children required a second contralateral shunt for a symptomatic isolated ventricle.

A new method of measuring brain atrophy: the effect of aging in its application for diagnosing dementia.

A new method of measuring cerebral atrophy using a ratio of brain parenchyma to ventricular and subarachnoid space is described. It uses digitized brain CT. This ratio was measured prospectively on 117 consecutive elderly patients referred for evaluation of cognitive dysfunction.

Folding of the cerebral cortex in mammals. A scaling model.

A model of cortical folding in mammals is presented. The model consists of a cube, superimposed on which are straight close-packed gyri, running the length of the cube. The cortex is represented by a thin layer of constant thickness.

Three-dimensional reconstruction from serial sections: II. A microcomputer-based facility for rapid data collection.

A microcomputer-based facility is described that permits the data required for three-dimensional reconstructions to be collected quickly and inexpensively from serial sections. The facility consists of a microcomputer, a digitizer tablet, a graphics terminal, a printer, a plotter, and telephone coupler. Images of serial sections are superimposed on the digitizer tablet.

The maximum aerobic power of the Temiars.

A settlement of Temiars, an aboriginal tribe residing in the north-eastern jungles of the Malay Peninsula, was selected for a study of their cardiorespiratory fitness. A step-test was used to elicit the Vo2max, V E max and HR max in a group of 19 boys aged 12 to 18 years and 6 men aged 19 - 40 years. The mean VO2max of the boys was found to be 45.