GB2236005A - Educational anatomical models - Google Patents

Abstract

A three dimensional model of part of the human body (e.g. the brain stem) is generally transparent and comprises a number of releasably interengageable elements. Adjacent elements may engage by lugs on one element entering bores in the other. Features (e.g. bone, cartilage, nerves, blood vessels) may be transparently, translucently or opaquely coloured within the generally transparent model. Interengagement faces of the elements may bear information about the model features.

Description

ANATOMY TEACHING AID The present invention relates to an anatomy teaching aid, and particularly to a neuro anatomy teaching aid.

Anatomy is a difficult branch of medicine to understand and learn and this is particularly so with neuro-anatomy.

It is very hard to conceive a complicated three-dimensional structure from two-dimensional images whether cross-sections, elevations, or both, even with the addition of anatomy dissections and the present invention attempts to alleviate this problem.

Attempts have already been made to address the problem by the provision of simple models and/or of serial sections in two dimensions. Such may be found, for example, in US-A-4702701 which shows a model of a portion of the brain. However, this model is generally not to scale and includes only a general indication of features actually present in reality, and then not in a truly scaled way.

Similarly FR-A-2550875 provides a series of two-dimensional sections through the brain. This arrangement suffers from a lack of spatial immediacy.

Other scaled models of the body exist, but they do not include discrete means for imparting information, neither are they disassemblable into a regular array of elements which may be examined in cross-section as well.

According to the present invention, therefore, there is provided a three-dimensional generally transparent body model comprising a plurality of readily interengageable threedimensional elements, each element constituting a generally spatially correct model of the body portion in its correct relative orientation.

Features such as bone, cartilage, nerves and blood vessels and organs of particular interest can be provided with a distinct colour and may be transparent, translucent or opaque within the general transparent body as appropriate.

In a preferred form of the invention one or more interengagement faces of the three-dimensional elements are provided with indicating means adapted to indicate the various features to be seen in the element.

It will be appreciated that since a three-dimensional element of, for example, a leg or brain stem, has a long axis, the information can be printed, etched, or otherwise applied perpendicular to this axis. This means that with the model assembled the information disappears visually when the model is viewed in side elevation.

In a particularly preferred form of the invention the body portion is a brain stem portion. The inter-engagement means is preferably effected by means of longitudinally extending lugs on one inter-engagement face, releasably co-operating in respective bores in the other adjacent inter-engagement face with which it is to be assembled.

The invention will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a vertical posterior elevation with cross-sections superimposed, and a lower segment dismantled, of a brain stem model in accordance with the present invention.

With reference to these drawings a plurality of interengageable elements (A-G) are interlocked by means of extensions and co-operating bores (not shown) in a conventional way. In this specific instance nucleii from an upper element (segment) project beyond the lower interface and articulate in bores of the upper end of the successive segment.

Each inter-engageable element (segment) (A-G) has an upper and a lower interface to which is applied a clear segment (H) with indicating means thereon showing tracts, nucleii, and lemnisci for example, along with a brief explanation as necessary.

The features of each segment can be summaried as follows: SECTION A: Cross section of midbrain at level of superior colliculi.

At this level the cranial nerve nuclei transected are i) the occulomotor nucleus (1) with the third cranial nerve arising from it (2) ii) the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal or fifth cranial nerve (3).

The superior colliculus (4) is shown on each side, and centrally the periaqueductal grey matter and aqueduct of Sylvius (5).

Further detail of tracts and other named, non-cranial nerve nuclei shown on this segment are not demonstrated in the diagram.

SECTION B: Cross section of midbrain at level of inferior colliculi.

At this level the cranial nerve nuclei transected are i) the trochlear nucleus (6) with the fourth cranial nerve arising from it (7) and decussating dorsally ii) the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve as above (3) The inferior colliculus (8) is shown on either side.

SECTION C: Cross section of upper pons.

At this level the cranial nerve nuclei transected are i) the main sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (9) ii) the branchial motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (10).

The trigeminal nerve itself arises at this level as separate sensory (11) and motor (12) roots.

The roof of the cranial part of the fourth ventricle consists of the superior medullary velum (13) with the superior cerebellar peduncles on either side (14).

SECTION D: Cross section of lower pons.

At this level the cranial nerve nuclei transected are i) the abducent nucleus (15) ii) the branchial motor nucleus of the facial nerve (16) iii) the visceral motor nucleus of the facial nerve (not shown) iv) the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (17) Both abducent (18) and facial (19) nerves arise at this level, the secretomotor fibres of the latter as the separate nervus intermedius (20).

The facial nerve fibres curl around the abducent nucleus which itself forms the facial colliculus (21).

SECTION E: Cross section of open part of the medulla.

At this level the cranial nerve nuclei transected are i) the hypoglossal nucleus (22) ii) the dorsal vagal nucleus (23) iii) the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (24) iv) the nucleus ambiguus (25) v) the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal (17) SECTION F: Cross section of upper part of closed medulla.

Posteriorly the gracile (26) and euneate (27) nuclei are transected.

Anteriorly the pyramids begin to decussate (28).

SECTION G: Cross section of lower part of closed medulla.

The pyramids are decussated.

The morphology approaches that of the spinal cord.

Vestibular and cochlear nuclei are not shown on this diagram.

Accordingly the invention provides a body portion model and particularly a brain stem model for teaching of anatomy.

Claims (6)

C L A I M S:

1. A three-dimensional generally transparent body model comprising a plurality of readily inter-engageable threedimensional elements, each element constituting a generally spatially correct model of the body portion in its correct orientation.

2. A model according to claim 1 characterised in that one or more inter-engagement faces of each three-dimensional element are provided with indicating means adapted to indicate the various features to be seen in the element.

3. A model according to either of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the body portion is a brain stem portion.

4. A model according to any preceding claim wherein the inter-engagement is effected by a longitudinally extending lug on one inter-engagement face releasably co-operating with a respective bore in another inter-engagement face.

5. A model according to any preceding claim characterised in that organs of particular interest are provided with a distinct colour and may be transparent, translucent, or opaque within the generally transparent body.

6. A body model substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to, and/or as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing.