Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
3D Modeling of Brain Removal with Cranial Nerve Preservation Abstract: Visual- spatial skills are essential in learning anatomy as they allow students to mentally visualize and manipulate the three-dimensional structure of the human body. Traditional dissectors like Grant’s Dissector typically provide only 2D images to guide brain removal. These manuals often do not include the occipital wedge approach, which favors cranial nerve preservation during brain dissection. A 3D model that assists students in learning a non-traditional dissection approach through manipulating a brain model will help improve mental rotation skills, especially benefiting those with weaker spatial abilities. In collaboration with Lipscomb University’s Physician Assistant Studies, Biology, and Animation departments, we designed an animated 3D model demonstrating this unique dissection approach. This project aims to empower students to visualize the brain removal technique with cranial nerve preservation before dissection. The student author participated in and observed multiple brain removal dissections using the occipital wedge approach. Then, in collaboration with the animation department, we designed a model of the cranial cavity, brain, and cranial nerves in Maxon ZBrush and Maya™ . Recognizing the importance of 3D anatomical models and the need for dissectors that include the occipital wedge approach for cranial nerve preservation, we created an educational resource that enhances anatomical understanding in the donor lab. While 3D software and video resources are available, both have limitations in helping students understand dissection techniques. Fixed camera angles and the lack of 3D dissection modeling highlight the need for a novel educational tool. Our model provides a scalable resource for faculty and students across undergraduate and graduate dissection- based curricula, helping students visualize challenging dissection processes and develop visual-spatial skills.
Faculty Mentor
Jill Kirby, PT, DPT
Mike Meredith, MFA
Charles Long
Cynthia Wingert, MS
Recommended Citation
Blank, Lauren; Cox, Sophia; and Preston, Avery, "3D Modeling of Brain Removal with Cranial Nerve Preservation" (2025). Student Scholar Symposium. 180.
https://digitalcollections.lipscomb.edu/student_scholars_symposium/2025/Full_schedule/180
Included in
3D Modeling of Brain Removal with Cranial Nerve Preservation
3D Modeling of Brain Removal with Cranial Nerve Preservation Abstract: Visual- spatial skills are essential in learning anatomy as they allow students to mentally visualize and manipulate the three-dimensional structure of the human body. Traditional dissectors like Grant’s Dissector typically provide only 2D images to guide brain removal. These manuals often do not include the occipital wedge approach, which favors cranial nerve preservation during brain dissection. A 3D model that assists students in learning a non-traditional dissection approach through manipulating a brain model will help improve mental rotation skills, especially benefiting those with weaker spatial abilities. In collaboration with Lipscomb University’s Physician Assistant Studies, Biology, and Animation departments, we designed an animated 3D model demonstrating this unique dissection approach. This project aims to empower students to visualize the brain removal technique with cranial nerve preservation before dissection. The student author participated in and observed multiple brain removal dissections using the occipital wedge approach. Then, in collaboration with the animation department, we designed a model of the cranial cavity, brain, and cranial nerves in Maxon ZBrush and Maya™ . Recognizing the importance of 3D anatomical models and the need for dissectors that include the occipital wedge approach for cranial nerve preservation, we created an educational resource that enhances anatomical understanding in the donor lab. While 3D software and video resources are available, both have limitations in helping students understand dissection techniques. Fixed camera angles and the lack of 3D dissection modeling highlight the need for a novel educational tool. Our model provides a scalable resource for faculty and students across undergraduate and graduate dissection- based curricula, helping students visualize challenging dissection processes and develop visual-spatial skills.