Objective To compare and analyze the effect of membrane element and spring element on biomechanical responses of cervical ligaments. Methods Based on the existing 6-year-old pediatric neck finite element model, the ligaments were simulated by membrane element and spring element, respectively. Then dynamic tensile test of C4-5 vertebrae and tensile test of full cervical spine were conducted. The membrane element model was also used to simulate the bending test, and the simulation results were analyzed. Results In dynamic tensile test of C4-5 vertebral segment, the final failure force of membrane element simulation test and spring element simulation test was 1 207 N and 842 N, respectively, and their difference from the cadaver experiment was 0.6% and 30.6%, respectively. In full cervical tensile test, the difference of peak force from membrane element simulation test and cadaver experiment was 1.8%. The peak force of spring element simulation test was 484 N, and the difference from simulation test and cadaver experiment was large. The simulation result of membrane element bending test was good. Conclusions The spring element had some limitations in force simulation. The membrane element had higher biofidelity and could reflect the biomechanical response of the ligaments.