Contribution of Neural Elements to Thoracic Stability.

Aim: Studies of spinal biomechanics typically do not focus on the contributions to range of motion (ROM) of the primary components of the spinal canal, dura, arachnoid, pia, spinal cord, nerve roots, ligaments, and vessels. We sought to determine the stability offered by these soft tissues in vitro.

Material And Methods: Human cadaveric segments were tested intact, after osteoligamentous destabilization, and after transection of T8-9 spinal canal components.