[Three-dimensional construction of the relation between the anterior branches of lumbar nerves 4, 5, lumbosacral trunk and sacroiliac joint].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a three-dimensional model to demonstrate the relation between the anterior branches of lumbosacral 4,5, lumbosacral trunk, and the pelvis. METHODS: An formaldehyde-fixed adult cadaver was dissected to expose the anterior branches of the lumbar nerves 4 and 5, lumbosacral trunk and the sacroiliac. The mixture of titanium powder and adhesive was smeared on the surface of the major branches of L4 and L5 nerves, lumbosacral trunk, femoral nerves and obturator nerves. As soon as the mixture solidified, the specimen was scanned by spiral CT at 3 mm intervals to obtain 159 two-dimensional sectional images for three-dimensional model reconstruction on a personal computer using the software 3-D DOCTOR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The reconstructed model can well demonstrate the spatial relation between the nerves and the pelvis, and allows rotation in every direction, which at the same time can be conveniently applied for purpose of clinical teaching.