Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026
07:28
A Contusive Model of Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Using the Infinite Horizon Impactor
Published on: July 24, 2012
Cervical spine injuries. Diagnosis and classification
Archives of Surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|June 1, 1976
Summary
Roentogenographic techniques aid in classifying cervical spine injuries based on injury mechanism. Understanding specific fracture patterns, like facet dislocation or vertebral wedging, is crucial for diagnosing instability.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Cervical spine injuries require accurate classification for effective management.
- Roentgenographic evaluation is a primary diagnostic tool.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline roentgenographic considerations for classifying cervical spine injuries.
- To correlate radiographic findings with injury mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Review of roentgenographic findings in cervical spine injuries.
- Correlation of imaging patterns with biomechanical injury mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Facet dislocation suggests flexion injury.
- Vertebral body wedging indicates flexion-compression.
- Comminution implies compressive forces.
- Marginal fractures suggest extension injuries.
- Pedicle fractures or facet impaction indicate instability.
Conclusions:
- Specific roentgenographic patterns correlate with distinct injury mechanisms.
- Complete visualization, including the cervico-thoracic junction, is essential.
Related Concept Videos
01:54The Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is the body’s major nerve tract of the central nervous system, communicating afferent sensory information from the periphery to the brain and efferent motor information from the brain to the body. The human spinal cord extends from the hole at the base of the skull, or foramen magnum, to the level of the first or second lumbar vertebra.
01:16Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature
The vertebral column or spine is a flexible column that supports the head, neck, and body and allows for their movements. It also protects the spinal cord.
Regions of the Vertebral Column
In an adult, the spine is subdivided into five regions: the cervical, the thoracic, the lumbar, the sacral, and the coccygeal region. The spine initially develops as a series of 33 vertebrae; after 20 years of age, the nine bones in the sacral region, five sacral, and four coccygeal bones fuse to form the...
Regions of the Vertebral Column
In an adult, the spine is subdivided into five regions: the cervical, the thoracic, the lumbar, the sacral, and the coccygeal region. The spine initially develops as a series of 33 vertebrae; after 20 years of age, the nine bones in the sacral region, five sacral, and four coccygeal bones fuse to form the...
01:16Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy
The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...
01:14Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...
01:29Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction
Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...
01:25Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...