Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Book

Cervical Injury

Muhammad Waseem  1 , Allison M. Torlincasi  2 , Walter A. Hall  3
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
.
Affiliations
Free Books & Documents
Book

Cervical Injury

Muhammad Waseem et al.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

Cervical spine injuries, although relatively uncommon, carry significant clinical importance due to their potential to cause severe and lasting disability. The cervical spine, composed of 7 vertebrae labeled C1 through C7, protects the spinal cord—the vital neural pathway connecting the brain to the rest of the body. Due to its unique anatomy and high degree of flexibility, the cervical region is particularly vulnerable to trauma and injury.

These injuries can result from a variety of mechanisms, including motor vehicle collisions, falls, sports-related impacts, and other forms of blunt trauma. Study results indicate that approximately 5% to 10% of patients who experience blunt trauma sustain cervical spine injuries, underscoring the need for prompt and accurate evaluation. Early recognition and appropriate management are crucial for minimizing neurological damage and enhancing long-term outcomes.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Muhammad Waseem declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Allison Torlincasi declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Walter Hall declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

    1. Whyte T, Stuart C, Mallory A, Ghajari M, Plant D, Siegmund GP, Cripton PA. A review of impact testing methods for headgear in sports: Considerations for improved prevention of head injury through research and standards. J Biomech Eng. 2019 Mar 12; - PubMed
    1. Kong TH, Lee JW, Park YA, Seo YJ. Clinical Features of Fracture versus Concussion of the Temporal Bone after Head Trauma. J Audiol Otol. 2019 Apr;23(2):96-102. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Hale AT, Say I, Shah S, Dewan MC, Anderson RCE, Tomycz LD. Traumatic Occipitocervical Distraction Injuries in Children: A Systematic Review. Pediatr Neurosurg. 2019;54(2):75-84. - PubMed
    1. Zanza C, Tornatore G, Naturale C, Longhitano Y, Saviano A, Piccioni A, Maiese A, Ferrara M, Volonnino G, Bertozzi G, Grassi R, Donati F, Karaboue MAA. Cervical spine injury: clinical and medico-legal overview. Radiol Med. 2023 Jan;128(1):103-112. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Patel JC, Tepas JJ, Mollitt DL, Pieper P. Pediatric cervical spine injuries: defining the disease. J Pediatr Surg. 2001 Feb;36(2):373-6. - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources