X15

CERVICAL SPINE - Fracture

Description
The upper cervical spine has been bissected; a fracture can be seen through the first cervical vertebra and there is bruising in the anterior longitudinal ligament with haemorrhage in the dura.
History
This injury was sustained by a 35 year old woman in a motor vehicle accident; she was a front seat passenger on the right-hand side of a left-hand drive car which was struck on the right side. In addition to this injury, she sustained a ruptured spleen, torn liver and broken ribs.