The finite element model of the cervical spine

In order to build a new knockdown 3D finite element model of total cervical spine, to evaluate the finite element analysis ability of the model under physiological load vectors, the CT images were pretreated in the MIMICS software, and the data were imported ABAQUS software for 3D-reconstruction. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model of the human total cervical spine, consisting of 35089 nodes, 21894 shell elements, 109746 tetrahedral elements, and 226 spring elements, was developed to model. The model was the bony vertebrae, articulating facets, intervertebral disc, and associated ligaments, validated against the published data under three load configurations; axial compression, flexion, and extension.