[Anatomy of the cervical spine]

Abstract

Background: Knowledge of biomechanics and the cervical spine's anatomy has become more topical as the incidence of whiplash neck disorders has increased. Unfortunately, injuries after traffic accidents are often brought to court, where the medical expert's knowledge is of utmost importance to ensure a correct medical evaluation.

Material and methods: The article is based on information identified through non-systematic searches of PubMed and on the author's experience as a professor of anatomy.

Results: The cervical spine is particularly vulnerable to forces perpendicular to the length axis. Stability depends largely on the soft tissue. Injuries of soft tissue (especially in ligaments and intervertebral discs) may lead to instability and periosteal reaction with subsequent new formation of bone.

Interpretation: The cervical spine is a relatively weak and vulnerable part of the body. One should consider locally restricted new formations of tissue with corresponding height reduction of the intervertebral disc as a sign of genuine injury.