S243 – An Interactive 3D Game of the Pterygopalatine Fossa

Abstract

Objectives

Develop an interactive computer simulation of complex structures of the head and neck that would assist the teaching of relevant anatomy.

Methods

Areas of the head and neck with complex spatial relationships were selected and their anatomical relationships were confirmed. Graphical representations of these areas were created, performed, and integrated into a virtual gaming environment through various software components. A variety of adjunctive teaching materials were also developed and laid over this virtual environment to reinforce the complex relationships.

Results

A 3D simulation was successfully created which allows users to freely move throughout a virtual environment framed by key and complex anatomy of the head and neck. Both this movement and visualization of the environment in all directions is provided through simultaneous use of the mouse and keyboard. Navigation through the game-space is assisted by a dynamically updated ‘anatomical’ compass. A combination of accurate structural depictions and conceptual representations of cavities and spaces with rooms, hallways, doors and/or windows was employed. Structures can be identified and educational information through adjunctive media can be displayed with simple point-and-click techniques. Gaming features were also employed to provide entertainment value, with the expectation that this would reinforce the anatomical concepts.

Conclusions

Virtual simulation of the complex anatomy of the head and neck may be an effective means to offset the cost and limited availability of cadaveric dissection. We describe here the development of such a simulated environment employing an interactive gaming construct which, to our knowledge, has not been previously described elsewhere.