A three dimensional parametric model of whole lower cervical spine (C3–C7) under flexion, extension, torsion and lateral bending

The purpose of this study is to create a three dimensional parametric model of the lower cervical spine and to validate it by examining the model with some experimental data and other similar studies Bonivtch et al. (2006) [1], Panjabi (1979) [2], Panjabi et al. (1998) [3], Panjabi (2001) [4]. The first step is to create a master model with the capability of simply changing parameters, which can be extracted from CT-scan images. By implementation of these parameters to the model, it would be updated for each case. The next step is the mesh-generating of the model, and, thus the material properties for each part of the model have been implemented. In this model, the vertebra, endplate and facet have been considered as simple elastic solids, and the nucleus, annulus and ligaments have been considered as incompressible solid, hyper-elastic solid, and non-linear springs, respectively. After finalizing the modeling procedure, analysis of the model for each case is done. The results have been compared with some references, and after validation of the model, the model could be used for extended similar studies.