SEQUELAE OF INJURIES TO THE CERVICAL VERT EBRAL COLUMN WITH SPECIFIC REGARD TO THE SO-CALLED WHIPLASH INJURY - THE MECHANISMS OF THE TRAUMATIC PROCESS

The mechanisms of whiplash injury are discussed with recourse to vario us definitions of the term. In this context the significance of the bi phasic nature of this traumatic event, previously recognized as such b y Gay and Abbott, has been confirmed in modified form. The cause for t his biphasic process is an abrupt reflex triggered mass contraction of primary hyperextended muscle groups together with their synergistic c ounterparts. Thus the secondary reaction differs quantitatively from t he initial ventral and dorsal flexion. The discussion of injury patter ns of the cervical vertebrae includes reference to specific forms of i nvertebral disc injuries, the lowest level of traumatic damage being i ndirectly defined is the so-called positioning trauma occurring during emergency reanimation.