Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics in the Cervical Spine: Importance of Fine Anatomical Structures

Abstract

Fine anatomical structures, including nerve roots and denticulate ligaments, can significantly influence cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics inside the spinal subarachnoid space (SSS). In this study, we completed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations based on subject specific geometries of the cervical spine with and without idealized fine structures (nerve roots and denticulate ligaments, NRDL). The results show that NRDL had a significant impact on CSF dynamics in terms of velocity distribution, flow streamlines, bidirectional nature of the flow and the pressure drop.