Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Porcine As a Training Module for Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction
Published on: September 29, 2018
A finite element study on the effect of initial head-neck posture on neck injury risk in frontal collisions
Zhixin Liu1, Xiao-Yang Zhang2,3, Weidong Liu1
1China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co., Ltd, Tianjin, China.
Objective:
Neck injuries represent a predominant category of injuries in automotive collisions. Non-neutral head-neck postures are believed to increase the risk of neck injury during rear impact scenarios. However, quantitative research on how initial head-neck postures of front-seat passengers influence neck injury mechanisms in frontal collisions remains scarce. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of different head-neck postures on neck injury risk for front-seat passengers during frontal collisions.
Methods:
A finite element model of the occupant restraint system was developed using the Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS) 50th percentile male dummy. Under frontal collision conditions (impact velocity: 50 km/h; acceleration pulse duration: 0.12 s), eight head-neck postures were evaluated: neutral (0°), axial rotation (15°, 30°, 45°, 60°), flexion (15°), extension (15°), and lateral bending (15°).
Results:
Compared with the neutral posture, non-neutral head-neck postures significantly increased vertebral stress, intervertebral disc pressure, ligament strain, NIC, Nkm and Nij. Among the seven neck ligaments analyzed, the capsular ligaments consistently exhibited the highest strain across all postures.
Conclusions:
Non-neutral head-neck postures during frontal collisions increase cervical biomechanical loading compared with the neutral posture. NIC and Nkm exceeded their injury thresholds in all non-neutral postures, while Nij remained below its threshold but exhibited a similar trend. Among the postures studied, extension and high axial rotation resulted in the highest loading on cervical soft tissues. Maintaining a neutral posture may help reduce cervical injury risk for front-seat passengers.
Related Concept Videos
Arteries of the Head and Neck
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...
Veins of Head and Neck
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
Muscles of the Anterior Neck
Elastic Collisions: Case Study
Types Of Collisions - I
Types of Collisions - II

