The Role and Power of 3D Models in Functional Morphology: A Tool for Generating Hypotheses, Capturing Conceptualizations, Enriching Explanations, and Facilitating Communication
Authors: Wood Bradley M. , Osborn Michelle L. , Daigle Christina R. , Sonnier Breigh N. , Homberger Dominique G. 
Published: June 2021

Morphologists depend on models to describe, conceptualize, understand, explain, and communicate the inherent complexity of organisms. Models produce interpretative descriptions of organisms by functioning as a methodological node for the integration of observations, principles, concepts, and theories that are drawn from multiple disciplines and brought to bear on a particular research question. Models help identify patterns and conceptual linkages among datasets and their parts, which are otherwise not accessible. Through abstraction and idealization, models are simplified analogues of organisms and their parts, because they contain only the salient features of interest, which can be analyzed without any confounding complexities of the actual organism. Hence, models facilitate the identification of causally relevant relationships among the parts of an organism. These relationships are necessary for generating accurate and comprehensive explanations. The recent availability of 3D data from CT scanning and MRI have affected research in functional morphology in unprecedented ways by enabling the construction of realistic (“realitätsgetreue”) 3D models that can serve as foundations for functional analyses and animations. To exemplify and illustrate the explanatory and didactic power of 3D models in morphology, four case studies from clinical anatomy, biomechanics, and movement analysis are presented here: (1) The 3D model of the paranasal sinuses of horses explains the topographical relationships among clinically relevant anatomical structures and landmarks that can be used to aid in surgical planning. (2) The 3D biomechanical model of the head, neck, and shoulders of a human reinterprets the functional relationship of the causally relevant elements responsible for suspending the shoulders from the head. (3) The animated 3D model of a flapping wing of a sparrow superimposed on a diagrammatic, 2D x‐ray video‐based model of a flying starling demonstrates the technique of modeling life‐like movements of anatomical structures. (4) The animation of a 3D model of the jaw apparatus of a human based on a prior understanding of the jaw joint mechanics allows for the experimental manipulation of the mandible to inform orthodontic procedures. Each one of these models can be embedded within a PDF by using freely available software so that they can be shared for meaningful communication. Overall, 3D models of organismal complexity increase our understanding, explanatory power, and capacity to communicate and greatly expand research possibilities.

Support or Funding Information

Grant‐In‐Aid of Research from Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, to Bradley M. Wood; LSU Foundation support to Dominique G. Homberger

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.