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Title of Image: 'Beneath the Surface'. 

Cortical bone mapping of hip from computed tomography (CT).


This image depicts a novel image analysis technique called 'cortical bone mapping'. This technique can measure the thickness of cortical bone (the dense outer shell-like layer) at many thousands of points around the hip from clinical CT scans, plotting the results as a colour wash on a 3D model here viewed from the front. The following colour scale corresponds with these approximate cortical bone measurements: red 0.0 mm; orange 1.2 mm; yellow 2.4 mm; green 3.6 mm; blue 4.5 mm; purple 5 mm+.



These measurements can be used to test whether individuals are at risk of a hip fracture if the bone is too thin, or if they might be developing osteoarthritis if too thick. Using a mesh in this case to display results rather than a more usual surface representation reveals the complex framework that is the basis for 3D sampling of the underlying CT imaging data.

Cortical bone mapping of hip from computed tomography (CT)

3D rendering of the head of an adult male receiving X-ray radiotherapy, viewed from the side. The patient is wearing a conventional restrictive mesh mask to prevent any movement during treatment. No data is available for the tip of the nose. 



A clinical proton CT has not yet been produced to date. This is a simulation using X-ray data of a patient receiving radiotherapy where every X-ray event has been converted to its proton equivalent. 180 image projections were then processed using a new algorithm to create the image seen here. Using a digital model created in this way, external tissue can also be digitally stripped away to reveal the bare skull inside.



Proton beam radiotherapy is rapidly becoming a recognised treatment for certain cancers, especially in children and young people. To target the tumour site while minimising the exposure to healthy surrounding tissue it is necessary to image using the same particles (protons) that are used for therapy. The advantage of using high-energy treatment protons to construct the CT scan instead of much lower energy X-ray photons is that registration errors are reduced from ±4% to less than ±1%. Proton therapy could be used in many more cases and with better outcomes.

Proton CT of a human head

Decalcified wax section through the top of the head of a mouse thigh bone (femur). This tissue section was stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Cartilage (round purple cells and dark purple edges), trabecular bone (pink) and bone marrow (large space in the top left corner) is visible. Cartilage is a strong, flexible supporting tissue that covers the bone at the end of a joint. Trabecular bone (also called cancellous or spongy bone) is porous bone that protects the bone marrow and provides support at the ends of a weight-bearing bone. Bone marrow is a soft tissue found in the centre of bones which makes blood stem cells (haematopoietic stem cells). Horizontal width of image is 14 mm.

Cartilage, trabecular bone and bone marrow in a mouse femur

Reconstruction of part of the nervous system in a fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) larva. Neural circuits were digitally reconstructed from serial section transmission electron micrographs through an abdominal segment of the nervous system. This image shows a lateral view of neurones and neuronal synapses in the neuropil (area in the grey matter of the central nervous system where neurones form connections with each other) of a segment of the nerve cord. A single axon from a sensory neurone that senses vibration (a chordotonal) is visible in yellow. Each coloured line belongs to the skeletonised representation of a neuronal branch (arbor). The points of contact between two neurones, the synapses, are shown in solid blue (input side) and solid red (output side). The transparent orange spheres represent labelled points of interest on the skeletons of the neurones, such as the presence of mitochondria and other features. Horizontal width of image is approximately 15 micrometres. Wellcome Image Awards 2015.

Nervous system in a fruit fly larva, serial section TEM

Dental restoratives are a perfect surface for the prolific growth of bacterial biofilm cultures. S. gordonii in particular is a pioneering colonizer of tooth surfaces, allowing other bacteria to colonize the surface, forming a robust dental plaque.This image shows the extracellular polymeric substances that are released to create a caged hammock around the bacteria protecting them from environmental stresses and antibacterial treatments.

The width of the image is approximately 4 micrometers.

Streptococci gordonii biofilm grown on a dental restorative; imaged by scanning electron microscopy.

Title of Image: 'Beneath the Surface'. 

Cortical bone mapping of a hip joint from computed tomography (CT).


This image depicts a novel image analysis technique called 'cortical bone mapping'. This technique can measure the thickness of cortical bone (the dense outer shell-like layer) at many thousands of points around the hip from clinical CT scans, plotting the results as a colour wash on a 3D model, here viewed from the front. The following colour scale corresponds with these approximate cortical bone measurements: red 0.0 mm; orange 1.2 mm; yellow 2.4 mm; green 3.6 mm; blue 4.5 mm; purple 5 mm+.



These measurements can be used to test whether individuals are at risk of a hip fracture if the bone is too thin, or if they might be developing osteoarthritis if too thick. Using a mesh in this case to display results rather than a more usual surface representation reveals the complex framework that is the basis for 3D sampling of the underlying CT imaging data.

Cortical bone mapping of hip from computed tomography

Light micrograph of lens tissue used for cleaning microscope lenses. Lens tissue is composed of microfibres which effectively remove dirt and oil from the surface of an optical component. This image was captured using brightfield illumination and detecting autofluorescence.

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Cortical bone mapping of hip from computed tomography (CT)

Proton CT of a human head

Cartilage, trabecular bone and bone marrow in a mouse femur

Nervous system in a fruit fly larva, serial section TEM

Streptococci gordonii biofilm grown on a dental restorative; imaged by scanning electron microscopy.

Cortical bone mapping of hip from computed tomography

Lens tissue, LM

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Cortical bone mapping of hip from computed tomography (CT)

Proton CT of a human head

Cartilage, trabecular bone and bone marrow in a mouse femur

Nervous system in a fruit fly larva, serial section TEM

Streptococci gordonii biofilm grown on a dental restorative; imaged by scanning electron microscopy.

Cortical bone mapping of hip from computed tomography

Lens tissue, LM

Stay in the know

Wellcome collectionWellcome Collection

Finding us:

Opening times:

Today's opening times

Wellcome collection