A Jefferson fracture is a burst fracture of which cervical vertebra?

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Prepare for the Selected Cervical Pathologies, Dysfunctions, and Treatments Test with diverse question formats. Learn through explanations and hints to ensure understanding. Be exam-ready!

Multiple Choice

A Jefferson fracture is a burst fracture of which cervical vertebra?

Explanation:
A Jefferson fracture is a burst fracture of the atlas, the first cervical vertebra (C1). This injury results from axial loading that compresses the ring of C1, causing fractures of the anterior and posterior arches and often outward splaying of the lateral masses. Because the atlas forms a ring around the dens of C2, a burst injury specifically involves C1, not the other cervical levels. Fractures of C2 or C3–C4 refer to different injuries (for example, a dens fracture at C2 or other non-ring fractures at lower levels), so they do not describe a Jefferson fracture.

A Jefferson fracture is a burst fracture of the atlas, the first cervical vertebra (C1). This injury results from axial loading that compresses the ring of C1, causing fractures of the anterior and posterior arches and often outward splaying of the lateral masses. Because the atlas forms a ring around the dens of C2, a burst injury specifically involves C1, not the other cervical levels. Fractures of C2 or C3–C4 refer to different injuries (for example, a dens fracture at C2 or other non-ring fractures at lower levels), so they do not describe a Jefferson fracture.

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