2010, Vol.23, No.4

Anatomy & Biological Anthropology 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.33

pISSN : 2671-5651 / eISSN : 2671-566X
https://journal.kci.go.kr/aba

Increase in agricultural production or steel manufacturing during Proto-Three Kingdoms Period (原三國時代) enabled ancient people to establish well-organized ancient kingdoms in Korean peninsula. A pottery in which human skeletons were buried, the urn coffin, has been regarded as one of the frequently used burial system in ancient Korean society. Among them, the small-sized urn coffin was thought to be used for reburial of adult skeleton or burial for infants and children. In this report, we showed that the human adult bones were buried in a very unique pattern. Based on anthropological study, the dead person buried in the urn coffin died in his/her 30s;and every bone fragment belonged to human skull without exception. The dead person might be a warrior killed in action because there have been reports on exclusive burial of skull in a small-sized, ancient urn coffin in Japan, that was commonly interpreted as the burial of ancient warrior’s heads decapitated during ancient battle, and were reburied in the burial ground. Nevertheless, considering that the cervical bones were not found along with the skull bone fragments, the tell tale sign of decapitation, more future studies are needed to confirm the hypothesis. However, even so, it could not be easily denied that very unique funeral customs:burial of human adult skull in a small-sized urn coffin, prevailed in the ancient Korean societies in certain regions.

In order to present the optimal neuroscience tutorial material for medical students and researchers,this study is aimed to make neuro-digital slide and neuro-atlas based on the histological specimens of human spinal cord and brain stem. Cadavers which had agreed for organ donation for research purpose were used in this study. Brains and spinal cords were extracted within 24 hours after death, and then fixed with 10% neutral buffered formalin. Paraffin blocks were made with the following regions; 8 regions from the spinal cord (the levels of the upper cervical segment, the cervical enlargement, the upper thoracic segment, the mid thoracic segment, the lower thoracic segment, the upper lumbar segment, the lumbar enlargement, the sacral segment), 14 regions from the brain stem (the levels of the spinomedullary junction, the pyramidal decussation, the medial lemniscus decussation, the obex,the mid-olivary medulla, the upper medulla, the pontomedullary junction, the lower pons, the mid pons, the upper pons, the isthmus rhombencephali, the inferior colliculus, the superior colliculus, the posterior commissure). Using virtual microscope software, we made digital neuro-slides which can be used anywhere and anytime regardless of equipment of microscope. To help understanding anatomy and functions of nervous tissue, we also made neuro-atlas based on the digital slide images. As results, the outline and detailed structures of nuclei and tracts are easily discriminated and also matched with marks and nomenclatures of neuro-atlas. Moreover, the cytoarchitecture of each nucleus and histological features can be well distinguished. We hope that this product would be used as a useful neuroscience tutorial material for the medical and paramedical school students, clinical trainees like interns and residents, and also neuroscience researchers.

The sectioned images (SIs) of the pelvis from a female cadaver are the best source of realistic threedimensional (3D) models of the female urogenital system. The purpose of this research is to present SIs and outlined images of the female pelvis with improved quality, which may be used to produce 3D models to simulate virtual dissection or surgery of the female urogenital and adjacent structures. A pelvis of Korean female cadaver which preserved buttock curve was scanned with 3T MR and CT machines. The pelvis was embedded and milled at 0.1 mm intervals. All sectioned surfaces were photographed to create horizontal SIs. On the Photoshop, 73 structures were outlined in the SIs to create outlined images. Once the structures were outlined, volume and surface models of the structures could be produced. A total of 222 MRIs and 222 CTs of a female pelvis were obtained. 2,220 SIs of the pelvis were obtained (0.1×0.1×0.1mm3-sized voxels; 48 bits color). 222 outlined images of 73 structures were prepared at 1mm intervals. Once the structures were outlined, 3D volume and surface models of the structures were produced without the help of the computer programmers using MRIcro and Maya software. We have produced high quality SIs of the female pelvis accompanied by corresponding MRI and CT images. 3D volume and surface models of the female pelvic structures have been constructed. These computerized models may serve as the basis for future realistic medical simulation programs that may enhance clinical understanding of pelvic anatomy.