Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the affect of cervical spinal column posture andprior loading history on its motor unit compressive strength. Method 12 fresh human cadaver cervical spines wereharvested and dissected into 24 motion segments containing two vertebrae and the intervening disc (C34 and C56).Compressive loads were applied so that the effects of the limited compressive strength by the two loading historiesdehydrated and two failure postures (neutral, flexed) on the spine could be examined. Dissection techniques were usedto document tissue damage. Result Specimens in a flexed posture had a lower ultimate compressive strength(27%42%, P<0.001) than in a neutral posture. When in a neutral posture, super-hydrated specimens had a lowerstrength (29%, P<0.01) than dehydrated specimens. Conclusion The spine may be more prone to get injury early in themorning when the discs are at their t greatest level of hydration with a fully flexed posture.