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 presents both superficial and deep structures of a right distal leg and foot. Proximally, the posterior compartment of the leg has been dissected to remove the triceps surae muscles and tendocalcaneous to demonstrate the deep muscles of the compartment (tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus). Adjacent to these muscles the course of the tibial nerve and posterior tibial artery can be followed to the origin of the medial and lateral plantar branches at the level of the flexor retinaculum. The origin of the abductor hallucis brevis muscle has been removed to expose more of the artery and nerve branches.
The origin of the great saphenous vein from the medial aspect of the dorsal venous arch is preserved, with the vessel ascending to the cut edge of the specimen. Although the anterior compartment muscles have been removed to demonstrate the interosseous membrane, the course of the anterior tibial artery, and the deep fibular nerve to the dorsum of the foot; the tendinous insertions of the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and the hallucal tendon of the extensor digitorum longus have been retained passing deep to the inferior extensor retinaculum. The anterior tibial artery is continuous through dorsalis pedis to the arcuate artery and the dorsal metatarsal arteries. The removal of the dorsal interosseous muscles demonstrate the approach of these terminal branches to the plantar interosseous muscles.
On the lateral aspect of the specimen, the fibularis longus and fibularis brevis muscles and tendons are visible, with tendons passing deep to the cut edge of the superior fibular retinaculum and complete inferior fibular retinaculum. Adjacent to the insertion of the fibularis brevis is the preserved tendon of the extensor digitorum longus to the fifth digit and the termination of the superficial fibular nerve; adjacent to the fibularis longus tendon entering the plantar surface of the foot is the origin of the abductor digiti minimi muscle.
Deep to these more superficial structures are several of the distal leg and foot ligaments, including the anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligaments, calcaneofibular ligament, dorsal and posterior talonavicular ligaments, and the deltoid ligament.
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.
