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A kinematic and anthropometric study of the upper cervical spine and the occipital condyles.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Chancey, VC; Ottaviano, D; Myers, BS; Nightingale, RW
Published in: J Biomech
2007

The center of rotation (COR) of the upper cervical spine (UCS) is an important biomechanical landmark that is used to determine upper neck moment, particularly when evaluating injury risk in the automotive environment. However, neither the location of the UCS CORs nor the occipital condyles (OCs), which are frequently the referenced landmark for UCS CORs, have been measured with respect to known cranial landmarks. This study determines the CORs using pure bending (+/-3.5 N m), 3D digitization, and image analysis. Landmarks digitized included the OCs, external auditory meatus (EAM), infraorbital foramen, zygion, nasion, and the foramen magnum. The centroid of each occipital condylar surface (area 301+/-29.8 mm(2); length 25.4+/-3.2 mm) was located 18.4 mm posterior, 54.4 mm medial, and 31.0 mm inferior of the EAM. The UCS CORs were distinct: On average, OC-C1 CORs (22.5 mm posterior and 22.6 mm inferior to the left EAM) were superior and more posterior of OCs; C1-C2 CORs (7.4 mm posterior and 46.7 mm inferior to the left EAM) were inferior and more anterior of OC; and OC-C2 CORs (17.0 mm posterior and 33.1 mm inferior to the left EAM) were aligned with OC. There was a statistically significant difference between the percentage of UCS rotation in C1-C2 and OC-C1; 45% of the flexion and 71% of the extension occurred in OC-C1. Details of an anatomical variant with two pairs of distinct condylar surfaces are also presented.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Biomech

DOI

ISSN

0021-9290

Publication Date

2007

Volume

40

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1953 / 1959

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Occipital Bone
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Cervical Vertebrae
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Anthropometry
  • Aged
  • 4207 Sports science and exercise
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Chancey, V. C., Ottaviano, D., Myers, B. S., & Nightingale, R. W. (2007). A kinematic and anthropometric study of the upper cervical spine and the occipital condyles. J Biomech, 40(9), 1953–1959. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2006.09.007
Chancey, Valeta Carol, Danielle Ottaviano, Barry S. Myers, and Roger W. Nightingale. “A kinematic and anthropometric study of the upper cervical spine and the occipital condyles.J Biomech 40, no. 9 (2007): 1953–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2006.09.007.
Chancey VC, Ottaviano D, Myers BS, Nightingale RW. A kinematic and anthropometric study of the upper cervical spine and the occipital condyles. J Biomech. 2007;40(9):1953–9.
Chancey, Valeta Carol, et al. “A kinematic and anthropometric study of the upper cervical spine and the occipital condyles.J Biomech, vol. 40, no. 9, 2007, pp. 1953–59. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2006.09.007.
Chancey VC, Ottaviano D, Myers BS, Nightingale RW. A kinematic and anthropometric study of the upper cervical spine and the occipital condyles. J Biomech. 2007;40(9):1953–1959.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Biomech

DOI

ISSN

0021-9290

Publication Date

2007

Volume

40

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1953 / 1959

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Occipital Bone
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Cervical Vertebrae
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Anthropometry
  • Aged
  • 4207 Sports science and exercise