Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026

A Contusive Model of Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Using the Infinite Horizon Impactor
Published on: July 24, 2012
[Injuries to the upper cervical spine. Part 1: ligamentous injuries]
F Kandziora1, K Schnake, R Hoffmann
1Zentrum für Wirbelsäulenchirurgie und Neurotraumatologie, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik, Friedberger Landstrasse 430, 60389, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland. Frank.Kandziora@BGU-Frankfurt.de
Abstract:
This article for continuing education describes ligamentous injuries of the upper cervical spine. Functional radiological imaging studies are particularly important in the diagnostic workup. Computed tomography can serve to visualize additional osseous traumas and magnetic resonance imaging can demonstrate discoligamentous, neuronal, and vascular structures. Traumatic ligamentous instabilities of the upper cervical spine can be categorized into four main groups: occipitocervical dislocation and translational, axial, and rotational atlantoaxial instabilities. The incidence, classification, diagnostic workup, standard treatment, and characteristics of the individual ligamentous injuries are presented. In addition, the topic of combined injuries of the upper cervical spine is addressed.
Related Concept Videos
Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction
Articulations of the Vertebral Column
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Muscles that Move the Head
The bilateral sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, and the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors. The SCM muscles originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, whereas...
Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy

