A Study of Responses and Tolerances of the Neck

The principal objectives of this study were first to obtain experimental curves of angulation versus moment of resistance of the human neck in hyperextension and lateral flexion, and second to determine angular limits short of significant injury observable in the unembalmed subjects employed in the study. The first of the tests were of the “static” type with load applied over a period of approximately 1s.

To determine the applicability of the data to dynamic conditions, tests were also made of the dissected neck at angulation velocities comparable with those of typical accidental injury. Overall resisting moment and injury threshold were similar under the dynamic loading, but somewhat greater moment of resistance was noted during the (earlier) portion of the loading cycle when angular velocity was greatest.

It is believed the data obtained together with muscular restraint data of other investigators who have used volunteers should be of value in the selection of neck characteristics for anthropometric test devices.

Tolerances of the unembalmed laryngeal cartilages to direct frontal impact in situ were also obtained.