Description
At the forefront of medicine and technology, we are proud to offer these incredible, uncompromised replicas of human anatomy. Using the latest 3D printing technology and materials available, this model is an exact replica of a human cadaver, brought to "life" by extensive medical scanning and manufacturing technologies. Over are the days of using ethically questionable cadavers, the mess of hazardous preservation chemicals, and the inaccuracies of plastinated models that often over-enhance anatomy for display, not realism. See the future, and the beauty, of real human anatomy with these incredible anatomical replicas!
This 3D printed specimen preserves the distal thigh and proximal leg, dissected posteriorly to demonstrate the contents of the popliteal fossa and surrounding region. The proximal cross-section demonstrates the anterior, posterior and medial compartment muscles, with the origin of the popliteal artery and vein just as they have entered the popliteal fossa via the adductor hiatus. The sciatic nerve and great saphenous vein are also visible. The skin, superficial fascia, fascia lata and crural fascia has been removed posteriorly to demonstrate the course of the popliteal vessels, tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve. Medially, the semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles have been sectioned to demonstrate the superior medial genicular artery and the medial head of the gastrocnemius. Distally, the medial gastrocnemius itself has been sectioned to expose the popliteus muscle and the tendon of the plantaris muscle.
The course of the popliteal artery and vein can be traced through the fossa to the passage of the vessels deep to soleus. They are accompanied by the tibial nerve, with the lateral head of the gastrocnemius removed several muscular branches of the tibial nerve are visible in the fossa (as is the medial sural cutaneous nerve and the distal-most part of the lateral sural cutaneous nerve). Running in parallel, the common peroneal descends and passes laterally over the exposed soleus muscle to the neck of the fibula just distal to the attachment of the biceps femoris muscle. Deep to the biceps femoris, the superior lateral genicular branch can be observed passing towards the anterior compartment.
The distal cross-section demonstrates the continuation of popliteal contents and branches. The great saphenous vein, small saphenous vein and sural nerves are visible within the superficial fascia. Between the muscles of the posterior, lateral, and anterior compartments are the neurovascular bundles of the leg (posterior tibial artery, veins and tibial nerve; peroneal artery and veins; anterior tibial artery, veins and deep peroneal nerve).
Please Note: Thanks to the flexibility of manufacturing that 3D Printing offers, this model is "printed to order", and is not typically available for immediate shipment. Most models are printed within 15 working days and arrive within 3-5 weeks of ordering, and once an order is submitted to us, it cannot be canceled or altered. Please contact us if you have specific a specific delivery date requirement, and we will do our best to deliver the model by your target date.
Advantages of 3D Printed Anatomical Models
- 3D printed anatomical models are the most anatomically accurate examples of human anatomy because they are based on real human specimens.
- Avoid the ethical complications and complex handling, storage, and documentation requirements with 3D printed models when compared to human cadaveric specimens.
- 3D printed anatomy models are far less expensive than real human cadaveric specimens.
- Reproducibility and consistency allow for standardization of education and faster availability of models when you need them.
- Customization options are available for specific applications or educational needs. Enlargement, highlighting of specific anatomical structures, cutaway views, and more are just some of the customizations available.
Disadvantages of Human Cadavers
- Access to cadavers can be problematic and ethical complications are hard to avoid. Many countries cannot access cadavers for cultural and religious reasons.
- Human cadavers are costly to procure and require expensive storage facilities and dedicated staff to maintain them. Maintenance of the facility alone is costly.
- The cost to develop a cadaver lab or plastination technique is extremely high. Those funds could purchase hundreds of easy to handle, realistic 3D printed anatomical replicas.
- Wet specimens cannot be used in uncertified labs. Certification is expensive and time-consuming.
- Exposure to preservation fluids and chemicals is known to cause long-term health problems for lab workers and students. 3D printed anatomical replicas are safe to handle without any special equipment.
- Lack of reuse and reproducibility. If a dissection mistake is made, a new specimen has to be used and students have to start all over again.
Disadvantages of Plastinated Specimens
- Like real human cadaveric specimens, plastinated models are extremely expensive.
- Plastinated specimens still require real human samples and pose the same ethical issues as real human cadavers.
- The plastination process is extensive and takes months or longer to complete. 3D printed human anatomical models are available in a fraction of the time.
- Plastinated models, like human cadavers, are one of a kind and can only showcase one presentation of human anatomy.
Advanced 3D Printing Techniques for Superior Results
- Vibrant color offering with 10 million colors
- UV-curable inkjet printing
- High quality 3D printing that can create products that are delicate, extremely precise, and incredibly realistic
- To improve durability of fragile, thin, and delicate arteries, veins or vessels, a clear support material is printed in key areas. This makes the models robust so they can be handled by students easily.
