Abstract: Objective To develop and validate an anatomic detailed finite element model of the lower cervical spine. Methods The finite element model of C4-C5-C6 was constructed using lower cervical spine (C4-C5-C6) CT images of a young healthy man. This model was validated against the standard deviation corridors of experimental data for normal, nondegenerated cervical spines tested in flexion and extension,right and left lateral bending, and right and left axial rotation under physiological loading. Percent of load range deviation was introduced to measure the deviation of the model from the standard deviation corridors of experimental data. Results and Conclusion A finite element model of young normal lower cervical spine has been developed and validated. The average percentage of load range was within 90% of standard deviation corridor.

Key words: cervical spine, finite element analysis, biomechanics