16 Weeks Gestation

3D Ultrasound Atlas

Weeks of gestation

Comparative fetal anatomy

Below are annotated images of a healthy 16 weeks and 2 days (16 + 2 weeks) gestation fetus, imaged ex-vivo using 3D ultrasound with CrystalVue™ and RealisticVue™ rendering.

Thereafter, the specimen was imaged using contrast-enhanced microCT which was used as an anatomical reference standard. The ultrasound and microCT images are directly compared, allowing for validation and annotation of the the structures visualised in 3D ultrasound imaging. 

  1. – C. Increasing levels of CrystalVue™ complexity and transparency are applied to the same 3D ultrasound volume imaged with CrystalVue™ and RealisticVue™, highlighting different (internal) structures. See image below for detailed annotation of skeletal the structures visualised in image C.
Parietal bone
Parietal bone
Frontal bone
Occipital bone
Occipital bone
Temporal bone
Zygomatic bone
Maxilla
Mandible
Nasal bone
Scapula
Scapula
Scapula
Humerus
Radius and ulna
Tibia
Fibula
Femur
Ilium
Radius and ulna
Humerus
Frontal bone
Frontal bone
Frontal bone
Parietal bone
Parietal bone
  1. 3D ultrasound volume with CrystalVue™ and RealisticVue™ rendering. Settings are optimised to highlight the skeletal structures.
  2. Overlay of a schematic illustration of the skeletal the structures visualised in the 3D ultrasound volume and the original image.
Cerebral hemisphere
Midbrain
Cerebellum
Pons
Cerebral hemisphere
Midbrain
Cerebellum
Pons
  1. 3D ultrasound volume CrystalVue™ and RealisticVue™ rendering of the head and brain. The volume has been inverted and sectioned in a parasagittal plane to visualise the midbrain and right hemisphere. For this volume, a high-frequency transducer was used (3-14 MHz).
  2. MicroCT image of the same specimen. A corresponding imaging plane was selected to validate the the structures visualised.
  3.  3D ultrasound volume of the complete specimen, imaged using low frequency transducer (1-8MHz). The volume has been inverted and the level of CrystalVue™ complexity and transparency have been increased, creating a silhouette of the fetus and intracranial structures.
Anterior horn of lateral ventricle
Thalamus
Midbrain
Cerebellum
Anterior horn of lateral ventricle
Thalamus
Midbrain
Cerebellum
  1. 3D ultrasound volume CrystalVue™ and RealisticVue™ rendering, imaged using a low frequency (1-8 MHz) transducer. The volume has been inverted and sectioned in a parasagittal plane. Midline brain structures and the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle are visualised in this view.
  2. MicroCT image of the same specimen. A corresponding para-sagittal imaging plane has been selected to validate the structures visualised.
Midbrain tectum
Thalamus
Nasal bone
Palate
Mandible
Cerebellum
Thalamus
Nasal bone
Palate
Mandible
Midbrain tectum
  1. 3D ultrasound volume with CrystalVue™ and RealisticVue™ applied. A mid sagittal view of the head is selected, visualising the palate as well as some midline brain structures.
  2. MicroCT image slice corresponding to the 3D ultrasound section in image A to validate the the structures visualised.
Thalamus
Midbrain tectum
Cerebellum
Pons
Trachea
Thalamus
Midbrain tectum
Cerebellum
Pons
Trachea
  1. 3D ultrasound volume with CrystalVue™ and RealisticVue™ applied. A mid sagittal view of the head is selected, visualising the palate as well as some midline brain structures.
  2. MicroCT image slice corresponding to the 3D ultrasound section in image A to validate the the structures visualised.
Cerebral hemisphere
Thalamus
Cerebellar peduncle
Brainstem
Cerebral hemisphere
Thalamus
Cerebellar peduncle
Brainstem
  1. 3D ultrasound volume with CrystalVue™ and RealisticVue™ applied. A coronal plane of the posterior cranial fossa displays the cerebral hemispheres, thalamus, midbrain, cerebellar peduncles and brainstem.
  2. MicroCT image slice corresponding to the 3D ultrasound section in image A to validate the the structures visualised.
Left lung
Diaphragm
Liver
Stomach
Left lung
Diaphragm
Stomach
Right lung
Liver
Liver
Diaphragm
Left lung
Right lung
Liver
Stomach
Diaphragm
  1. 3D ultrasound volume with CrystalVue™ and RealisticVue™ rendering. The volume has been sectioned in the coronal plane, allowing three-dimensional visualisation of the lungs, diaphragm, lever and stomach.
  2. MicroCT image of the same specimen. A matching coronal plane was selected to validate the structures visualised.
  3. Overlay of a schematic illustration of chest and abdominal organs visualised in the 3D ultrasound volume and the original figure.