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Back > Bones, Ligaments & Joints

Typical cervical vertebra (C4)
Anterior view.

Atlas of Anatomy Fig. 1.10 B

Illustrator: Karl Wesker

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$Injuries in the cervical spine / The cervical spine is prone to hyperextension injuries, such as “whiplash,” which can occur when the head extends back much farther than it normally would. The most common injuries of the cervical spine are fractures of the dens of the axis, traumatic spondylolisthesis (ventral slippage of a vertebral body), and atlas fractures. Patient prognosis is largely dependent on the spinal level of the injuries. This patient hit the dashboard of his car while not wearing a seat belt. The resulting hyperextension caused the traumatic spondylolisthesis of C2 (axis) with fracture of the vertebral arch of C2, as well as tearing of the ligaments between C2 and C3. This injury is often referred to as "hangman’s fracture."$

$Osteoporosis / The spine is the structure most affected by degenerative diseases of the skeleton, such as arthrosis and osteoporosis. In osteoporosis, more bone material gets reabsorbed than built up, resulting in a loss of bone mass. Symptoms include compression fractures and resulting back pain.$

$Radiograph of an osteoporotic lumbar spine with a compression fracture at L1 (<i>arrow</i>), left lateral view /$

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