PC-assisted three-dimensional description of organs containing tubular structures, applied on the epididymis of the rat.

A concept for three-dimensional computer-assisted reconstruction of tubular organs, e.g. the epididymis, is described. Histologic serial sections without artificial landmarks from the epididymis of the Wistar rat were aligned. Virtual images through the aligned sections served as a control of the alignment process and can reveal new information about the structure of the organ under investigation. The method can be used for improving the anatomical description of the epididymis, i.e. how the ductus epididymidis is coiled along this organ. Other tubular tissues and organs can be investigated and analysed with this PC-assisted method, e.g. testis and kidney.