How AI Retrieves Anatomical Structures Using Vector Databases

This article explains retrieval strategies in medical image databases built on vector embeddings. Starting with slice-based retrieval as the baseline, it expands into volume-based, region-based, and localized retrieval methods. Each approach is evaluated with recall metrics, highlighting how region-centric and localized techniques improve accuracy in identifying and matching anatomical structures. The piece demonstrates why moving beyond simple slice similarity is crucial for practical medical imaging applications, where precision and localization directly impact system usefulness.