Abstract: Objective    To construct detailed three-dimensional (3D) digital structures and apply to virtual simulation and 3D printing of the human lung bronchial trees, so as to provide accurate morphological data for the virtual simulation of fiberoptic bronchoscopy surgery.    Methods    The tomographic anatomical images of Chinese Visible Human CVH1,2,5,6 chest were selected. The lungs and bronchial trees were segmented and  reconstructed in 3D by using AMIRA software. Cinema 4D software was used to smooth, construct an interactive 3D-PDF model, and perform 3D printing to create virtual fiberoptic bronchoscopy surgery simulation model.    Results    Detailed 3D digital models of 4 lung bronchial trees were constructed, including 3 adults and 1 child, showing the branches of the human bronchial tree at 3-6 levels, the number of branches at level 4 and level 6 was about twice the number of branches of the upper level. The segment of left lung was 8, the number of bronchial branches at level 6 was (63.8±3.6), the segment of right lung was 10, the number of bronchial branches at level 6 was (63.8±3.6), and the bronchial branches number ratio of the left and right lungs was 0.79. The longest length of the bronchus was located in the left lobe, and the diameter of children’s lumen was smaller than that of three adults.   Conclusions    The 3D digital model, 3D printing model, 3D-PDF and virtual simulation software for surgery of the bronchial trees have improved the understanding of anatomy and developmental biology of bronchial tree. We believe that the B1+2 and B7+8 bronchopulmonary segments of the left lung are separate segmental bronchi, rather than two combined segmental bronchi, which provides morphological basis for clinical anatomy teaching and virtual simulation of fiberoptic bronchoscopy surgery.

Key words: Bronchial trees; ,  , Three-dimensional reconstruction; ,  , Digital model; ,  , Surgery simulation