Novel combination method of wide-range serial sectioning and 3D reconstruction visualizing both macro-level dynamics and micro-level interactions in an attempt to analyze the female pelvic floor

Abstract

The present report presents details of the method for combining wide-range serial sectioning and 3D reconstruction using an adult cadaver. For several decades, anatomists have utilized a variety of non-destructive three-dimensional (3D) visualization methods to complement gross anatomical analysis methods. These include vascular casting for the visualization of vascular morphology and micro-CT for the visualization of bone morphology. However, these conventional methods are restricted by the properties and sizes of the target structures. Here, we introduce a method to conduct 3D reconstruction based on wide-range serial histological sections from adult cadavers, which overcomes previous restrictions. An attempt at 3D visualization of the female pelvic floor muscles provides a detailed description of the procedure. Supplemental video and 3D PDF files allow multifaceted observation of 3D images. Wide-range serial sectioning visualizes morphology beyond the scope of conventional methods, while 3D reconstruction enables non-destructive 3D visualization of any structure that can be observed on a histological section, including skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, ligaments, cartilage, connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, lymph nodes, and glands. The novel combination of both methods is instrumental in meso-anatomy, a discipline intermediate between macro-anatomy and micro-anatomy.

Significant relationship between musculoaponeurotic attachment of the abdominal and thigh adductor muscles to the pubis: implications for the diagnosis of groin pain

“…However, the cross-sectional view was limited to examining only individual fibrocartilaginous enthesis and did not sufficiently demonstrate the connections between each muscle and their common attachments. The current study represented the first comprehensive investigation of the histology of the conjoined aponeurosis attaching to the pubis, using a specialized technique for wide-range serial sectioning (Muro and Akita 2023 ). The findings clearly demonstrated (1) the connection between the external oblique and adductor longus and (2) the connection between the rectus abdominis, pyramidalis, gracilis, and adductor brevis, which attach to the bone with the help of the fibrocartilage.…”

“…The blocks were embedded in paraffin and serially sectioned in sagittal and axial planes into 5-µm-thick slices at 1-mm intervals. The method employed followed the protocol of wide-range serial sectioning outlined in the previous study (Muro and Akita 2023 ; Muro et al 2021a , 2019 ). The Masson trichrome staining protocol was used to process the staining.…”

Twisted orientation of the muscle bundles in the levator ani functional parts in women: Implications for pelvic floor support mechanism

“…meshl ab. net/ ) (Cignoni et al, 2008;Muro & Akita, 2023a). Finally, the 3D data were exported to a 3D PDF format using the PDF3D ReportGen version 2.22.1.11324 (Visual Technology Services Ltd; https:// www.…”

Three-dimensional model of normal human dermal tissue using serial tissue sections

“…Traditional 3D reconstruction methods such as CT and MRI have low resolution for skin tissue structure, making it difficult to recognize the skin epidermis and dermal fiber structure in the images. However, skin tissue section images provide a clear resolution of dermal fiber and cellular structures, thereby representing the microscopic three-dimensional structure of the tissue ( Muro and Akita, 2023 ). This study focused on reconstructing the three-dimensional anatomical structure of skin tissue based on continuous skin tissue sections.…”