A stepwise fresh porcine head model for three-dimensional dissection of ventricular, limbic, and deep venous anatomy
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Deep ventricular, limbic, cisternal, and deep venous structures form a compact three-dimensional anatomical system that is difficult to understand from two-dimensional resources alone. We evaluated the technical feasibility of organizing fresh ex vivo porcine heads into a four-module, stepwise dissection model for demonstrating these relationships. Five porcine heads obtained from a regulated food supply chain were prepared without formalin fixation, vascular injection, or specialized laboratory equipment. A neurosurgery resident performed the dissections under faculty supervision. Anatomical feasibility was assessed by the successful identification of prespecified targets within transcallosal, transchoroidal, interforniceal, posterior deep venous, and atrial-inferior horn dissections. The complete four-module sequence was achieved, and all prespecified anatomical targets were identified during dissection in all five specimens. In an independent image-based assessment of three specimens with complete unannotated photographic sets, 26 of 31 targets were identifiable in all three specimens, whereas five deep ventricular or venous targets were identifiable in two of three specimens. The dissection demonstrated the spatial continuity of the caudate nucleus, fornix, foramen of Monro, choroid plexus, thalamostriate vein, velum interpositum, internal cerebral veins, Galenic venous system, hippocampal formation, choroidal fissure, and adjacent cisternal spaces. Natural vascular coloration remained visible without injection and supported orientation during sequential dissection. This low-infrastructure preparation may serve as an accessible physical reference for understanding the three-dimensional continuity of deep ventricular, limbic, cisternal, and venous anatomy, particularly where access to human cadaveric dissection is limited.
Source: PLoS ONE
Institutions: Keio University, Shizuoka Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,382
OpenAlex ID: W7225404563