[An anatomical wax of the deep structures of the pelvic limb (by Tramond, 19th century): observation of the tridimensional photographic rotation].

UNLABELLED

Anatomical wax modelling was widely used during the 19(th) century, especially in France and Italy. In Paris, The Tramond house was specialized in the realization of this kind of samples.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The sample was placed on two large horizontal marble disks, rotating every 5°. We could then describe the sample, verify its anatomical accuracy and also perform a virtual reconstruction with Quick Time Reality QTVR(®) software.

RESULTS

The muscular, nervous and arterial elements were represented. We divided the description in three parts: (1) lumbar, pelvic and femoral; (2) femoro-tibial; and (3) tibio-tarsian. We focused the anatomical description on the sciatic nerve; on the organization of the muscles of the gluteal region and the neurovascular organization; and on arterial segmentation. This sample was getting damaged with time, noticeably the representation of the nerves, which are very thin and so, very fragile. Nowadays, 3D representation of the dissected human body is more common, with new techniques such as plastination (Von Hagen's type), which allows one to preserve all the anatomical elements of the subject. This paper and the realization of the virtual museum also aim to participate in a work memory, which recognize the knowledge of the anatomist of wax makers, their teaching quality remained unequalled as their obvious artistical value.