A unique 3-D dissection of the human pelvis was introduced earlier this week at the American Urological Association's Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif. The project, which was constructed at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, is expected to be a valuable interactive tool for urologists in visualizing and understanding the details of pelvic structure.

The project is expected to aid in education for urologists who perform such procedures as placement of nerve stimulators to treat incontinence, as well as other invasive female pelvic procedures.

'We have reconstructed the details of pelvic organs, including the sacral nerve roots, in an interactive 3D model that will provide a realistic experience of the procedure," said Victor Spitzer, PhD, who led the project.

The pelvic model is part of the Visible Human Project, the most detailed photographic computerized volume of human anatomy available. This public domain resource was created for the National Library of Medicine and includes complete male and female 3D anatomy, with several specific applications.

The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center is one of four campuses in the University of Colorado system. Located in Denver, Colo., the campus includes schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry, a graduate school and two hospitals.