## 5 Conclusions  
The aim of this work was the creation of a detailed 3D model of the human neck and the preliminary validation process. To this end, a review of the current literature was conducted in order to understand what had been done previously and how to approach the methodology in this type of work. Six different moments were applied in flexion-extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending to the selected FSU model for the purpose of validating it against data obtained in experimental results.  
Even though the lateral bending results were not as satisfactory as in other tests, they were similar to the values obtained in previously validated FE models. Thus, it can be concluded that the selected model accurately portrays the desired segment of the cervical spine.  
It is possible to conclude that the combination of parametric studies and precise reconstruction is a viable method to create new FEMs of the cervical spine; ideally, MRI should be added in a future work to create certain components, as this will result in a more bio-realistic model.  
Despite the model accurately representing the chosen segment, several limitations were found that should be addressed in subsequent research. The AF fibers have a role in limiting ROM, and were not represented. This exclusion may have been a contributing factor to the discrepancy between the experimental and simulation results. Contrary to previous FEMs of the spine, the intervertebral discs were not modeled with a concentric mesh, which could have had an influence on the final results, although this is uncertain. While easy to implement, isotropic materials with linear elastic properties do not accurately portray the behavior of the different materials that comprise the cervical components. A  
Figure 10: Lateral bending ROM of the FSU compared with previously validated FEM [14; 32; 33; 40].  
few geometrical divergences occurred due to the meshing algorithm, resulting in distorted elements, which may have led to an increase in simulation run times. Moreover, extra stiffness could have been related to ligament positioning, the original orientation of the spine, the linear elastic properties of the ligaments, or misalignment between the applied moment and the vertebrae, as mentioned previously.  
The next step in our research will be the conclusion of the validation process, the addition of more realistic material behavior for most of the components, and the modelling of the muscular system. Additionally, we expect to couple of the created model with an FEM of the head in order to more accurately study head-neck kinematics and whiplash-related pathologies.  
Conceptualization, R.J.A.d.S. and F.A.O.F.; Data curation, A.J.C.S.; Formal analysis, A.J.C.S., R.J.A.d.S. and F.A.O.F.; Funding acquisition, R.J.A.d.S.; Investigation, A.J.C.S., R.J.A.d.S. and F.A.O.F.; Methodology, A.J.C.S. and F.A.O.F.; Project administration, R.J.A.d.S.; Software, A.J.C.S.; Supervision, R.J.A.d.S. and F.A.O.F.; Validation, A.J.C.S.; Visualization, M.P. and M.P.L.P.; Writing--original draft, A.J.C.S.; Writing--review and editing, R.J.A.d.S., F.A.O.F., M.P. and M.P.L.P. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
The authors acknowledge the support given by Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) through the projects PTDC/EME-EME/1239/2021 (BAFHTA), UIDB/00481/2020, and UIDP/00481/2020, as well as by CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-022083--Centro Portugal Regional Operational Programme (Centro2020) under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement through the European Regional Development Fund.  
Not applicable.  
The authors declare no conflict of interest.