In-vivo investigations of the growth process in the rat ankle.




Fig.1 : two 3D reconstructions of the ankle of a rat leg at two different ages.
Green model = 5.5 weeks and volume = 7.3 mm³
Yellow model = 5.5 weeks and volume = 9.84 mm³



Fig.2 : Manual procedure for matching 3D models.
Panel A shows the superimposed models. A trabecula (red arrow) was selected as a landmark.
The bottom panel B shows how different models can be registered.




Fig. 3 : Representative virtual cross-section in one plane through the ankle of a rat.
Small trabeculae can be distinghuished.
A spatial resolution of approx. 15 micron was achieved.