Visualization of the omental bursa and its spatial relationships to left subphrenic extraperitoneal spaces by the second Chinese Visible Human model

PURPOSE: In order to overcome the obstacle that detailed spatial relationships of the omental bursa to its related spaces cannot be displayed clearly by thick-slice sectional anatomical imaging and computed tomography, we designed a new approach to three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the omental bursa. METHODS: By Amira(®) software, we employed thin-slice cross-sectional images of the upper abdomen retrieved from second Chinese Visible Human datasets to display the spatial relationships of the omental bursa to its related spaces, especially to the left subphrenic extraperitoneal spaces. Moreover, these spatial relationships were presented on 3D sections reconstructed from second Chinese Visible Human images and computed tomography images. RESULTS: Of importance, the gastric bare area is located among the superior, inferior, and splenic recesses. The appearance of the foramen bursae omenti majoris is the only pathway communicating between the superior and inferior recesses of the omental bursa, and also is the anatomic landmark between the superior and inferior recesses. The splenic recess is surrounded from behind by the splenic bare area and the gastric bare area. CONCLUSION: As one of the subphrenic spaces, the omental bursa with its related spaces was imaged three-dimensionally using a visualization technique. Familiarity with the anatomic location and spatial relationships of the omental bursa to its related spaces may be beneficial for the differential diagnosis and intervention, improving outcome. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00276-015-1462-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.