Finite element modeling of the C4-C6 cervical spine unit. Med Eng Phys 1996 Oct;18(7):569-74
Date
10/01/1996Pubmed ID
8892241DOI
10.1016/1350-4533(96)00013-6Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0030272014 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 135 CitationsAbstract
This study was conducted to develop a detailed, three-dimensional, anatomically accurate finite element model of the human cervical spine structure using close-up computed tomography scans and to validate against experimental data. The finite element model of the three vertebra segment C4-C6 unit consisted of 9178 solid elements and 1193 thin shell elements. The force-displacement response under axial compression correlated well with experimental data. Because of the inclusion of three levels in the spinal structure, it was possible to determine the internal mechanics of the various components at each level. The applicability of the model was illustrated by adopting appropriate material properties from literature. Results indicated that, the stresses in the anterior column were higher compared to the posterior column at the inferior level, while the opposite was found to be true at the superior level. The superior and inferior endplate stresses were higher in the middle vertebral body compared to the adjacent vertebrae. In addition, the stresses in the cancellous core of the middle, unconstrained vertebral body were higher. The present three-dimensional finite element model offers an additional facet to a better understanding of the biomechanics of the human cervical spine.
Author List
Yoganandan N, Kumaresan SC, Voo L, Pintar FA, Larson SJAuthors
Frank A. Pintar PhD Chair, Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Medical College of WisconsinNarayan Yoganandan PhD Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultCervical Vertebrae
Computer Simulation
Female
Humans
In Vitro Techniques
Models, Anatomic
Reference Values
Stress, Mechanical
Tomography, X-Ray Computed