Morphology, architecture, and biomechanics of human cervical multifidus

wbldb

Anderson, Jess¹; Hsu, Andrew¹; Vasavada, Anita²

Morphology, architecture, and biomechanics of human cervical multifidus

Spine. February 15, 2005;30(4):E86-E91

©2005 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Affiliations

¹Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Physiology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA

²Programs in Bioengineering and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Abstract and keywords

Study Design: Cadaveric dissections and biomechanical modeling were used to study the human cervical multifidus muscle.

Objectives: To describe attachment patterns of the multifidus in the cervical region, to quantify the muscle’s architecture, and to use a biomechanical model to calculate the moment-generating capacity of the cervical multifidus.

Summary of Background Data: Deep neck muscles such as the multifidus may play an important role in cervical spine stability and neck pain. However, there are limited data regarding the fascicular attachments or architecture parameters necessary to calculate force and moment.

Methods: The multifidus spinae was studied by dissection of nine cadaveric specimens. Fascicles were grouped according to attachment, and architecture parameters (musculotendon length, fascicle length, and physiologic cross-sectional area) were quantified. The data were used in a biomechanical model to calculate moment arm, force-, and moment-generating capacity of the multifidus.

Results: The multifidus originates from the facet capsules of lower cervical vertebrae and the transverse processes of upper thoracic vertebrae. The fascicles span 2 to 5 vertebral segments from origin to insertion, and they insert on the spinous processes and laminae of superior cervical vertebrae. For each fascicular subgroup, musculotendon lengths ranged from 2.0 to 6.9 cm, fascicle lengths ranged from 1.2 to 3.7 cm, and physiologic cross-sectional area ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 cm2. The total moment-generating capacity of the cervical multifidus in the neutral posture was predicted to be approximately 0.7 Nm for extension and lateral bending and 0.3 Nm for axial rotation.

Conclusions: The fascicular attachment pattern of the multifidus spinae in the cervical region appears to be unique to that region. The direct attachment to cervical facet capsules supports a possible role in neck pain and injury. Characterizing the biomechanical function of the multifidus is important for the analysis of normal and pathologic conditions.

Keywords: human neck muscles; multifidus; anatomy; muscle architecture; biomechanics
Links

DOI: 10.1097/01.brs.0000153700.97830.02

PubMed: 15706328

WoS: 000227088500017
History

Received: 2004-06-01

Revised: 2004-06-18

Accepted: 2004-06-24

Cited Works (13)

Year	Entry
2000	Winkelstein BA, Nightingale RW, Richardson WJ, Myers BS. The cervical facet capsule and its role in whiplash injury: a biomechanical investigation. Spine. May 15, 2000;25(10):1238-1246.
2000	Van Ee CA, Nightingale RW, Camacho DLA, Chancey VC, Knaub KE, Sun EA, Myers BS. Tensile properties of the human muscular and ligamentous cervical spine. Stapp Car Crash J. 2000;44:85-102. SAE 2000-01-SC07.
1991	Amevo B, Worth D, Bogduk N. Instantaneous axes of rotation of the typical cervical motion segments: a study in normal volunteers. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). May 1991;6(2):111-117.
1996	Cholewicki J, McGill SM. Mechanical stability of the in vivo lumbar spine: implications for injury and chronic low back pain. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). January 1996;11(1):1-15.
1990	White AA III, Panjabi MM. Clinical Biomechanics of the Spine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: J.B. Lippincott Company; 1990.
1998	Kamibayashi LK, Richmond FJR. Morphometry of human neck muscles. Spine. June 15, 1998;23(12):1314-1323.
1996	Lord SM, Barnsley L, Wallis BJ, Bogduk N. Chronic cervical zygapophysial joint pain after whiplash: a placebo-controlled prevalence study. Spine. August 1996;21(15):1737-1744.
1992	Youdas JW, Garrett TR, Suman VJ, Bogard CL, Hallman HO, Carey JR. Normal range of motion of the cervical spine: an initial goniometric study. Phys Therap. November 1992;72(11):770-780.
1998	Panjabi MM, Cholewicki J, Nibu K, Babat LB, Dvorak J. Simulation of whiplash trauma using whole cervical spine specimens. Spine. January 1998;23(1):17-24.
1998	Vasavada AN, Li S, Delp SL. Influence of muscle morphometry and moment arms on the moment-generating capacity of human neck muscles. Spine. February 15, 1998;23(4):412-422.
1989	Zajac FE. Muscle and tendon: properties, models, scaling, and application to biomechanics and motor control. Crit Rev Biomed Eng. 1989;17(4):359-411.
2001	Siegmund GP, Myers BS, Davis MB, Bohnet HF, Winkelstein BA. Mechanical evidence of cervical facet capsule injury during whiplash: a cadaveric study using combined shear, compression, and extension loading. Spine. October 1, 2001;26(9):2095-2101.
2001	Winkelstein BA, McLendon RE, Barbir A, Myers BS. An anatomical investigation of the human cervical facet capsule, quantifying muscle insertion area. J Anat. April 2001;198(4):455-461.

Cited By (19)

Year	Entry
2006	Halldin P, Hedenstierna S, Brolin K, von Holst H. Finite Element Analysis of the Effects of Head-Supported Mass on Neck Responses: Complete Phase Three Report. London, England: US Army European Research Office Of The U.S. Army; September 2006.
2015	Siegmund GP, Chimich DD, Elkin BS. Role of muscles in accidental injury. In: Yoganandan N, Nahum AM, Melvin JW, eds. Accidental Injury: Biomechanics and Prevention. 3rd ed. New York: Springer; 2015:611-642.
2005	Siegmund GP, Blouin J, Brault JR, Hedenstierna S, Inglis JT. Electromyography of superficial and deep neck muscles during isometric, voluntary and reflex contractions. In: Proceedings of the 33rd International Workshop on Human Subjects for Biomechanical Research. 2005.167-187.
2006	Siegmund GP, Blouin J-S, Carpenter MG, Brault JR, Inglis JT. Cervical multifidus muscle activity during whiplash and startle responses. In: Proceedings of the 34th International Workshop on Human Subjects for Biomechanical Research. 2006.133-143.
2018	Siegmund GP. Soft tissue neck injuries and other important things. In: Proceedings of the 2018 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Injury. September 12-14, 2018; Athens, Greece.i-xii.
2011	Azar NR, Kallakuri S, Chen C, Cavanaugh JM. Muscular response to physiologic tensile stretch of the caprine C5/6 facet joint capsule: dynamic recruitment thresholds and latencies. Stapp Car Crash J. 2011;55:441-460.
2007	Siegmund GP, Blouin J-S, Brault JR, Hedenstierna S, Inglis JT. Electromyography of superficial and deep neck muscles during isometric, voluntary, and reflex contraction. J Biomech Eng. February 2007;129(1):66-77.
2011	Siegmund GP. What occupant kinematics and neuromuscular responses tell us about whiplash injury. Spine. December 2011;36(suppl 25S):S175-S179.
2011	Curatolo M, Bogduk N, Ivancic PC, McLean SA, Siegmund GP, Winkelstein BA. The role of tissue damage in whiplash-associated disorders: discussion paper 1. Spine. December 2011;36(suppl 25S):S309-S315.
2009	Siegmund GP, Winkelstein BA, Ivancic PC, Svensson MY, Vasavada A. The anatomy and biomechanics of acute and chronic whiplash injury. Traffic Inj Prev. 2009;10(2):101-112.
2012	Östh J, Brolin K, Carlsson S, Wismans J, Davidsson J. The occupant response to autonomous braking: a modeling approach that accounts for active musculature. Traffic Inj Prev. 2012;13(3):265-277.
2010	Östh J. Active Muscle Responses in a Finite Element Human Body Model [Licentiate thesis]. Götenburg, Sweden: Chalmers University of Technology; 2010.
2014	Östh J. Muscle Responses of Car Occupants: Numerical Modeling and Volunteer Experiments Under Pre-Crash Braking Conditions [PhD thesis]. Götenburg, Sweden: Chalmers University of Technology; 2014.
2010	Mang D. Using Acoustic Stimuli to Inhibit the Startle Response Triggered by Whiplash Collisions: Implications for Injury Prevention [Master's thesis]. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia; April 2010.
2019	Fice JB. Neuromechanics of Neck Muscles: Implications for Whiplash Injury [PhD thesis]. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia; April 2019.
2020	Pai S A. Investigation of Thoracic Spine and Muscle Morphology With Open Upright MRI [Master's thesis]. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia; December 2020.
2020	Shen D. Investigation of Whiplash Associated Disorders Using Finite Element Neck Models With Active Musculature in Frontal, Rear and Lateral Impact [Master's thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2020.
2009	Azar NO. Muscular Response to Tensile Loading of the Cervical Facet Joint Capsule: A Potential Whiplash Pain Mechanism [PhD thesis]. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University; May 2009.
2011	Zheng L. Sex Differences in Human Neck Musculoskeletal Biomechanics and Modeling [PhD thesis]. Pullman, WA: Washington State University; May 2011.