Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (36): 9488-9496.doi: 10.12307/2026.923

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Comparative finite element analysis of cervical intervertebral discs in adult humans and macaques

Hao Yunteng1, Shi Jun2, Zhang Shaojie1, 3, Li Zhijun1, 3, Yang Yang1,3, Wang Chaoqun4, Ma Yuan1, Zhao Hailong1, Chen Jie3, Dong Chongyang5, Zhang Zhifeng6, Li Kun1, 3, Wang Xing1, 3   

  1. 1Digital Medicine Center of School of Basic Medical Sciences, 2Department of Physiology of School of Basic Medical Sciences, 3Department of Human Anatomy of School of Basic Medical Sciences, 4Department of Radiology of Affiliated Hospital, 5Department of Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine of School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 6Department of Joint Surgery of Second Affiliated Hospital, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • Received:2025-10-05 Revised:2026-03-21 Online:2026-12-28 Published:2026-05-22
  • Contact: Wang Xing, Associate professor, Master’s and doctoral supervisor, Digital Medicine Center of School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Department of Human Anatomy of School of Basic Medical Sciences, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Co-corresponding author: Li Kun, Associate professor, Digital Medicine Center of School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Department of Human Anatomy of School of Basic Medical Sciences, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Hao Yunteng, MS, Teaching assistant, Digital Medicine Center of School of Basic Medical Sciences, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Shi Jun, MD, Associate professor, Department of Physiology of School of Basic Medical Sciences, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Hao Yunteng and Shi Jun contributed equally to this article.
  • Supported by:
    General Program of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. YKD2022MS037 (to SJ); National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81860382 (to WX); Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, No. 2025MS08060 (to WX); Support Program for Young Scientific and Technological Talents of Higher Education Institutions in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, No. NJYT22009 (to WX); Science and Technology Program of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, No. 2025YFSH0007 (to WX); Key Scientific Research Project of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. YKD2021ZD011 (to WX); Medical and Health Science and Technology Plan Project of Health Commission of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, No. 202201217 (to WX); Basic Research and Applied Basic Research Project of Hohhot City, No. 2024-Gui-Ji-28 (to WX); "Good Learning" Talent Project of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. ZY20242104 (to WX); Teaching Innovation Team of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. NYCXTD202406 (to WX)

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: The cervical vertebrae of macaques and humans exhibit remarkable homology with human cervical spines in terms of vertebral count, intervertebral disc structure, and the unique uncinate processes, rendering macaques an ideal biomechanical model for cervical spine research. However, comparative studies on their mechanical properties remain scarce.
OBJECTIVE: To develop three-dimensional finite element models of adult human and macaque cervical spines and comparatively analyze the biomechanical characteristics of intervertebral discs under various loading conditions, thereby providing theoretical insights for clinical research.
METHODS: Thin-slice CT scans of their cervical spine (C0-T1) were performed on one adult human and one adult macaque specimen to obtain DICOM data. The models were reconstructed using Mimics, refined with Pro/Engineer for optimized geometries (including intervertebral discs and endplates), meshed in Hypermesh, and subjected to finite element analysis using Abaqus. The study specifically compared and analyzed range of motion and stress distribution patterns on the intervertebral disc endplates between human and macaque cervical models.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Under flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation conditions, both human and macaque models exhibited progressive increases in endplate stress and disc displacement values along the craniocaudal axis. Peak intervertebral disc stress and displacement occurred at the C5/6 disc level, while maximum endplate stresses and displacements localized to the C6 segment. (2) Significant lateral asymmetry in endplate stress distribution was observed under certain loading modes—with identical patterns emerging in both species (P < 0.05). Inter-species comparisons revealed no statistically significant differences in disc stresses or displacements. (3) These findings substantiate macaques as clinically relevant cervical spine models, offering mechanistic insights for disease pathophysiology and therapeutic optimization.

Key words: cervical spine, intervertebral disc, finite element analysis, human, adult macaque

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