Date of Award
Fall 1989
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biomedical Engineering
First Advisor
Myklebust, Joel
Second Advisor
Pintar, Fran
Third Advisor
Harris, Gerald
Abstract
This research was conducted to determine the morphological characteristics of the cervical spinal ligaments. Five fresh human cadavers were used. The subjects were deep frozen in the normal anatomic position. Four subjects were sectioned sagittally for original length measurements, and one axially for cross-sectional area using a heavy duty cryomicrotome. Close-up photographs at 1-mm intervals from the occiput to the Tl vertebra were taken. The ligaments studied in the upper cervical spine were the anterior atlanto-occipital membrane, posterior atlanto-occipital membrane, tectorial membrane, and apical ligament. The middle and lower cervical ligaments were the ligamentum flavum, posterior and anterior longitudinal ligaments, interspinous and supraspinous ligaments, and the joint capsules. Results indicated that the ligament lengths increased caudally; there were no significant trends in area measurements. Using the morphological characteristics and previous published data from our lab, the engineering biomechanical stress and strain were calculated.
Recommended Citation
Grossheim, Linda D., "Morphology of the Human Cervical Spine" (1989). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 4684.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/4684