THE STUDY OF EARLY HUMAN EMBRYOS USING INTERACTIVE 3-DIMENSIONAL COMPUTER RECONSTRUCTIONS

Tracings of serial histological sections from 4 human embryos at diffe rent Carnegie stages were used to create 3-dimensional (3D) computer m odels of the developing heart. The models were constructed using comme rcially available software developed for graphic design and the produc tion of computer generated virtual reality environments. They are avai lable as interactive objects which can be downloaded via the World Wid e Web. This simple method of 3D reconstruction offers significant adva ntages for understanding important events in morphological sciences.