Spatial Knowledge Representation for Visualization of Human Anatomy and Function

Computerized presentation of knowledge about human gross anatomy and function is presently being developed along two major tracks. Computer graphics on one hand provides more and more powerful tools for volume visualization. Knowledge engineering on the other hand provides more and more sophisticated data structures, while it does not care much for proper visualization of such knowledge. This paper presents a new approach of representing medical knowledge with a volume based data structure. This method has major advantages for true three-dimensional visualization of anatomical and functional knowledge, as well as for presenting knowledge of different domains simultaneously. The basic ideas and a pilot implementation for the human skull and brain are presented. Remaining problems and possibilities for future extensions and improvements are discussed.

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