The applicability and efficiency of 3 dimensional printing models of hyoid bone in comparative veterinary anatomy education

Additive manufacturing, also known as three-dimensional (3D) printing, is bringing the technological breakthrough in many areas, such as engineering, art, education, and medicine. Two separate themes are described in this study. The first theme is to present a graphical 3D modeling approach of different hyoid bones. The second theme involves making 3D printing models of these bony structures and compared with original forms. Different hyoid bones (horse, cattle, dog, cat, and pig) were used to produce 3D printing models. Hyoid bones were scanned with the multidetector computed tomography (MD CT). Two-dimensional (2D) images were stored in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) and segmentation and post-processing of these images were performed. 3D reconstructed images of the hyoid bones were acquired with 3D Slicer software. 3D models of the hyoid bones were recorded in stereolithography (STL) file format on the computer. These STL images were then used to produce physical 3D printing models with the Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) printer and polylactic acid (PLA) filament. It was known that hyoid bones are very thin and fragile. For this reason, 3D printed models could be used for these characteristic bones. These 3D models were seen useful for anatomy education and hard to break compared to original bones. It was seen that it could be rapidly produced by 3D printing technology for anatomy education in practical lessons. This study shows that durable, real-like bone specimens could be produced with minimal equipment and manpower. It was observed that both produced 3D models and 3D reconstructed images can be used during veterinary anatomy education