A three dimensional parametric model of whole lower cervical spine (C3C7) under flexion, extension, torsion and lateral bending

The purpose of this study is to create a three dimensional parametric model of the lower cervicalspine and to validate it by examining the model with some experimental data and other similar studiesbonivtch et al. (2006) [1], panjabi (1979) [2], panjabi et al. (1998) [3], panjabi (2001) [4]. the first stepis to create a master model with the capability of simply changing parameters, which can be extractedfrom ct-scan images. by implementation of these parameters to the model, it would be updated for eachcase. the next step is the mesh-generating of the model, and, thus the material properties for each part ofthe model have been implemented. in this model, the vertebra, endplate and facet have been consideredas simple elastic solids, and the nucleus, annulus and ligaments have been considered as incompressiblesolid, 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, andafter validation of the model, the model could be used for extended similar studies.