Mathematical modelling of the human cervical spine

Injuries to the cervical spine are quite commonly found in traffic accidents. The mechanisms of injury to the cervical spine are not fully understood, because the human cervical spine is an anatomically complex structure, subjected to a variety of loading conditions in an accident. A mathematical model of the cervical spine will be a valuable tool in the study and understanding of the mechanical behaviour of this complex biological structure. This report gives the results of a literature survey conducted as the first part of a project concerning the development of a mathematical model of the human cervical spine. The model must describe, in detail, the biomechanical response of the human head and neck t o various impact situations, and it must incorporate injury mechanisms. The survey concerned the aspects relevant for mathematical modell ing of the human cervical spine. Included is the literature relevant to the functional anatomy and biomechanics, injury mechanisms, and mathematical models of the cervical spine, as well as experimental results usable for model validation.