A volume-based anatomical atlas

A volume model data structure for constructing 3-D anatomical atlases is discussed. The volume model provides the look and feel of an actual dissection by visualizing both surface and volume properties of the anatomy and is flexible, letting users easily incorporate extensions both on the level of the spatial primitives and the relational descriptions. The procedures for filling the data structure, and the visualization, composition, interrogation, and simulation tools used to explore the model are described. The development of a 3-D atlas of the human head to test the framework´s performance is also described.<>