# Question about the algorithm of the extract centerline module (VMTK)

**URL:** <https://discourse.slicer.org/t/question-about-the-algorithm-of-the-extract-centerline-module-vmtk/37495>\
**Category:** Development\
**Tags:** python, 3d-model, vmtk-centerline\
**Created:** [July 22, 2024, 6:49am UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/question-about-the-algorithm-of-the-extract-centerline-module-vmtk/37495 "2024-07-22T06:49:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Seokjun\_Hwang](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/seokjun_hwang/32/76745_2.png) [@Seokjun\_Hwang](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/Seokjun_Hwang)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 6:49am UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/question-about-the-algorithm-of-the-extract-centerline-module-vmtk/37495/1 "2024-07-22T06:49:04Z")

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![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/slicer/original/3X/7/1/719cb5cd6f3585541fcf05166fd00961e287afc4.png)

Using the extract centerline module, I have obtained the centerline of the aorta, as shown in the picture. My research team members are interested in understanding and want to explain how this module generates the centerline.

For example, did it draw a line by marking the central points of cross-sectional areas? Or did it use the centroid of the aorta?

Can you explain in a simple way how the centerline is extracted using this algorithm? I couldn’t fully understand it even after looking at the code.

Thank you for implementing this module, and we would appreciate your explanation.

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**Author:** ![lassoan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/lassoan/32/13_2.png) [@lassoan](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/lassoan)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/question-about-the-algorithm-of-the-extract-centerline-module-vmtk/37495/2 "2024-07-22T22:07:19Z")

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The full source code of VMTK is available [here](https://github.com/vmtk/vmtk). Details of the algorithm is explained in Luca Antiga’s [PhD thesis](http://lantiga.github.io/media/AntigaPhDThesis.pdf) and numerous papers.