Anatomical informatics: Millennial perspectives on a newer frontier

Abstract

One of the most ancient of sciences, anatomy has evolved over many centuries. Its methods have progressively encompassed dissection instruments, manual illustration, stains, microscopes, cameras and photography, and digital imaging systems. Like many other more modern scientific disciplines in the late 20th century, anatomy has also benefited from the revolutionary development of digital computers and their automated information management and analytical capabilities. By using newer methods of computer and information sciences, anatomists have made outstanding contributions to science, medicine, and education. In that regard, there is a strong rationale for recognizing anatomical informatics as a proper subdiscipline of anatomy. A high-level survey of the field reveals important anatomical applications of computer sciences methods in imaging, image processing and visualization, virtual reality, modeling and simulation, structural database processing, networking, and artificial intelligence. Within this framework, computational anatomy is a developing field focusing on data-driven mathematical models of bodily structures. Mastering such computer sciences and informatics methods is crucial for new anatomists, who will shape the future in research, clinical knowledge, and teaching.

The anatomy of anatomy: A review for its modernization

“…Teaching anatomy with computerized learning packages [dubbed as ''anatomical informatics'' by Trelease (2002)] so that students know exactly what to expect beforehand and how to best spend limited time in the dissection room (Collins, 2008). The future of anatomy teaching must rely more on visual aids outside the dissection room as students who accessed web-based computer-aided instruction resources scored significantly higher on examinations than those who never accessed the online content (McNulty et al, 2009).…”

A cadaveric histological investigation of the prostate with three-dimensional reconstruction for better results in continence and erectile function after radical prostatectomy

“…High-speed computers with three-dimensional (3D) graphic capabilities allow sophisticated reconstruction and manipulation of complex objects and these methods are increasingly used for medical purposes. 5 In this study, all anatomical methods, including macroscopic, microscopic techniques and computational anatomy (3D reconstruction), were used simultaneously to define the prostate and related organs. Our aim was to increase the understanding of the anatomy of the prostate and related organs anatomy for better continence and erectile function results after urological surgery.…”

Karmaşık anatomik yapıların üç boyutlu anaglif stereo yöntemi kullanılarak öğrencilere anlatılması ve bunun geleneksel iki boyutlu ders anlatımı ile karşılaştırılması

“…kullanıldığı ders anlatımı giderek artan bir önem kazanmaktadır. 9 Basset 4 tarafından yapılan stereoskopik atlasta, o dönemde bilgisayar teknolojisi olmadığı için fotografik medya kullanılmıştır. Bu atlas bilgisayar destekli olmadığı için kullanıcı ya da tıp öğrencilerinin gö-rüntülere müdahale etme olanağı yoktu.…”

“…Anatomi eğitiminde de yeni yöntemlerin kullanıldığı ders anlatımları giderek artan bir önem kazanmaktadır. 9 Vücudun bazı bölgelerinin etrafının kemik yapılarla çevrili olması ve derinde yer almaları nedeniyle gösterile-bilmeleri zor olmaktadır. Fossa pterygopalatina ve fossa infratemporalis bu bölgelerin en önemlilerindendir.…”