A three dimensional parametric model of a lower cervical spine motion segment (C5–C6)

The purpose of this study is to create a three dimensional parametric model of a lower cervical spine motion segment and to validate it by examining the model with similar finite element method. First step was creating a master model with capability of simple changing of the parameters which could be extracted from CT-scan images. By implementation of these parameters to the model, model would be updated for each case. Next step was mesh-generating of the model. Then the material properties for each part of the model have been implemented. In this model vertebra, endplate, facet have been considered as simple elastic solids, nucleus, annulus and ligaments have been considered as an incompressible solid, hyper-elastic solid, nonlinear springs respectively. After finalizing the modeling procedure, analyzing of the model for each case would be done. The results have been compared with some references and after validation of the model; the model could be used for extended similar studies.