3D Printing for veterinary anatomy: An overview.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering
• Anatomical Education

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is increasingly adopted in veterinary medicine.
• 3D-printed models present significant opportunities for anatomical teaching and learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of 3D printing technologies applicable to veterinary anatomy.
• To discuss methods for acquiring and processing 3D data for model creation.
• To illustrate the use of 3D printing in veterinary gross anatomy education.

Main Methods:

• Review of different 3D printer types (e.g., fused deposition modeling, stereolithography, colorjet printing), their advantages, and disadvantages.
• Discussion of 3D model acquisition strategies, including data downloading, CT/MRI data processing, and 3D modeling software.
• Explanation of software requirements for 3D data processing and print preparation.
• Presentation of four case examples demonstrating 3D prints in veterinary gross anatomy teaching.

Main Results:

• Various 3D printing technologies can produce diverse anatomical models.
• Model complexity, size, cost, desired resolution, and post-processing time influence printer selection.
• Specific examples showcase the successful application of fused deposition modeling, stereolithography, and colorjet printing for anatomical education.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing is a valuable tool for enhancing veterinary anatomical education.
• The choice of 3D printing technology depends on specific educational needs and resource availability.
• Diverse 3D printing methods enable the creation of detailed and accurate anatomical models for veterinary students.