Experimental determination of cervical spine mechanical properties.

The results of research into human cervical spine mechanical parameters necessary for process modelling are presented. Our tests were divided into identification of tissues mechanical features and determination of data useful for validating human cervical spine models. Mechanical properties of the whole cervical spine as well as the stiffness of ligaments and discs were identified on the basis of tests on cadaveric spinal specimens. Thanks to our cooperation with medical practitioners, physiological cross-section areas of neck muscles were analysed using MRI. Functional computed tomography was used to determine kinematics of cervical vertebrae during head movement in sagittal and frontal planes.