Biomechanics of the cervical spine Part 2. Cervical spine soft tissue responses and biomechanical modeling

Objective. The responses and contributions of the soft tissue structures of the human neck are described with a focus on mathematical modeling. Spinal ligaments, intervertebral discs, zygapophysial joints, and uncovertebral j oints of the cervical spine are included. Finite element modeling approache s have been emphasized. Representative data relevant to the development and execution of the model are discussed. A brief description is given on the functional mechanical role of the soft tissue components. Geometrical chara cteristics such as length and cross-sectional areas, and material propertie s such as force-displacement and stress strain responses, are described for all components. Modeling approaches are discussed for each soft tissue str ucture. The final discussion emphasizes the normal and abnormal (e.g., dege nerative joint disease, iatrogenic alteration, trauma) behaviors of the cer vical spine with a focus on all these soft tissue responses. A brief descri ption is provided on the modeling of the developmental biomechanics of the pediatric spine with a focus on soft tissues. Relevance Experimentally validated models based on accurate geometry, mater ial property, boundary, and loading conditions are useful to delineate the clinical biomechanics of the spine. Both external and internal responses of the various spinal components, a data set not obtainable directly from exp eriments, can be determined using computational models. Since soft tissues control the complex structural response, an accurate simulation of their an atomic, functional, and biomechanical characteristics is necessary to under stand the behavior of the cervical spine under normal and abnormal conditio ns such as facetectomy, discectomy, laminectomy, and fusion. (C) 2001 Publi shed by Elsevier Science Ltd.