Numeric and symbolic knowledge representation of cortex anatomy using web technologies

Abstract

We propose an ontology of the brain cortex anatomy representing both numeric and symbolic knowledge. Implementation with web technologies facilitates the ontology's dissemination and reuse in different application contexts. This model references the main terminological sources and can be integrated into larger scale models. It was instantiated as an XML file encompassing anatomical features of the frontal, temporal and parietal lobes. A standalone Java application and an HTML based one have been developed in order to illustrate the knowledge base flexibility. They are both fully interactive with 3D VRML scenes representing the shapes of brain sulci.