A method is disclosed for visualizing tubular anatomical structures from
3D recorded medical images, in particular coronary vessel structures, in
the case of which segmented 3D image data of the tubular structure are
firstly provided. The tubular structure represented by the segmented 3D
image data is approximated via a multiplicity of mutually adjacent
cylindrical and/or conically tapering elements. The mutually adjacent
elements are subsequently displayed without the segmented 3D image data
of the tubular structure. The method enables a simplified geometric
display of the tubular structure that enables the person skilled in the
art to make a simple interpretation of the structure, particularly in the
case of transmission as a 2D image display.