Development of 3D Stereoscopic of the Cerebellum Model for Anatomic Virtual Learning

Abstract

Virtual learning has become the popular and adopted form of teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including learning the parts of the human body. As we move through this pandemic and look into the future of medical education, anatomic virtual models have the potential to be a key educational tool in learning the unique engineering of the human body. In this project, we look into the making of an anatomical structure, the cerebellum, which is located at the base of the skull in the posterior cranial fossa. The cerebellum largely controls the coordination of voluntary movement sequences of the body. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) data and surface and volume rendering technology found in the Amira 5.6 software was used in the creation of a three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic virtual model of the cerebellum. An outlining process was used for each CTA image that comprised the cerebellum; a total of 73 slices of CTA data were outlined. Each outline was made using the paintbrush, blow, and lasso tools found in Amira 5.6. To refine the selected areas, the paintbrush tool along with the coronal and sagittal views were employed. Each segmented slice was then stacked to create the surface of the cerebellum, generating the 3D stereoscopic model. A smoothing filter was also applied to correct human error. End results show a 3D stereoscopic cerebellum model that can be integrated at various angles and magnifications with orthoslice CTA data and project as a 3D stereoscopic presentation in a virtual environment with a dim light background. We find that the cerebellum stereoscopic model can serve as a virtual learning tool in a classroom setting and allow students to view the cerebellum in a 3D stereoscopic presentation in order to better grasp the spatial relationship of the cerebellum with other structures in the cranial vault. Three-dimensional stereoscopic presentations along with video clips created within Amira 5.6 can be used for online anatomical learning, which allows for different visual perspectives than the traditional two-dimensional presentations.