FC Flatmap
Using the Functional Connectivity (FC) Flatmap Interface on the SPARC Portal
Learn how to use the maps interface for the Functional Connectivity Flatmap.
The FC flatmap is a tool that provides the semantic description of all anatomical locations in the mammalian body along with the connectivity of networks that transfer information (neural connectivity) or mass flow (blood vessels and lymphatics) between these locations. Learn more about Flatmaps and how to access them
The pathways present on the FC flatmap represent the neuronal connections between the brainstem and the Functional Tissue Units (FTUs) within each organ system. The various colors of these pathways represent different types of nerves (see the Controls section for information on the legend for these pathways).
The purpose of the FC map is primarily to capture the semantics and connectivity of the body’s anatomical and physiological organization, and to provide an interface for building composite models. The information is provided by the SCKAN knowledgebase and is consistent with the ‘Anatomical Connectivity’ (AC) flatmap and the 3D whole-body models for each species. In the near future, it will provide a user interface to modeling studies that will be designed to address the integrative physiological function of the body.
When first loading the FC flatmap, all organ systems and connectivity are hidden. Users are able to use the systems legend (control G below) to select their systems of interest to make them visible. Connectivity relevant to the system(s) will also be displayed.
The Display and Controls
**Figure 1: **The Functional Connectivity (FC) map interface. By default, all systems are hidden.
A. Search within display
This feature allows searching within the current map displayed.
B. Map controls
These icons manipulate the view of the map, toggle the map information and create a permalink of the current status of the map. Hover over each icon for more information.
C. Map sidebar
The arrow on the right hand side of the map interface opens the sidebar where datasets, maps, and scaffolds can be accessed. For more information refer to How to use the sidebar.
D. Zoom controls
The map can be zoomed in and out with these controls. The right-most button allows a fit-to-window display. Note that zooming in/out can also be achieved by scrolling or with a pinch/spread gesture on a mouse trackpad.
E. Display settings
The display of the flatmap can be manipulated by clicking the computer icon. This prompts an interface that allows the user to change the background colour, the organs display and the outlines display.
F. Pathways
The latter part of the box in the lower left corner is a legend for the pathways on the FC flatmap. Interacting with the legend allows for triggering the display of desired pathways.
G. Systems
The upper part of the box in the lower left corner is a legend for controlling the display of the organ systems on the FC flatmap.
H. Beta tag
Note that the current state of the FC flatmap is under production. Hover over the beta tag for more information.
Note:By default, all systems are hidden on the FC map. All systems can be visualised by checking the All option of the Systems interface.
Interacting with the display
Moving around the FC map can be achieved with a single left-click and drag.
When hovering over any of the features in the FC map, a tooltip will be prompted that will provide information, as shown in Figure 2. See the Functional Connectivity Map section for more information on the features of the FC map.
Figure 2: Hovering over the 'Levator anguli oris' FTU prompts a tooltip that provides further information.
Information about FTUs comes from external literature sources. Clicking on an FTU prompts the flatmap context card that allows access to this literature (not complete yet). For example, as illustrated in Figure 3, the Main bronchus FTU, present in the Pair of Lungs box in the Cardiorespiratory System has been annotated with a literature source that provides further information on bronchi.
Figure 3: The 'Main bronchus' FTU has been annotated with PubMed literature sources.
This flatmap context card can be accessed by clicking on the FTU.
Similarly, some pathways have been populated with an external literature source, as well as information relating to the origin, destination and components of the neuron connection. As shown in Figure 4, clicking on these pathways prompts the flatmap context card, and scrolling down reveals more information and the link to the literature source.
Figure 4: By clicking on the pathways representing bladder innervation, information on the origin, destination, and components can be accessed. Scrolling down reveals more information and the PubMed literature source.
While hovering over pathways, a tooltip is prompted that provides information on the respective nerve, as shown in Figure 5. (Note: This information originates from SCKAN. For more information refer to the SPARC Connectivity Knowledge Base of the Autonomic Nervous System (SCKAN) documentation). There are often multiple pathways stacked upon each other. In these cases, the tooltip will provide information on all pathways present.
Figure 5: Hovering over a pathway prompts a tooltip that provides information on the neuron connection.
Updated 11 days ago