Rupture of which ligaments may be encountered in WAD injuries?

• A. Nuchal Ligaments
• B. Transverse Atlantal Ligaments
• C. Cruciates Ligaments
• D. Alar Ligaments

Answer: (D)

Whiplash injuries stretch the ligaments that stabilize the craniocervical junction, with the alar ligaments being a key target. These ligaments run from the dens of the axis to the occipital condyles and mainly restrict rotation and side-bending of the head on the atlas. A sudden, violent acceleration–deceleration can tear or sprain them, leading to rotational instability at the upper neck, which fits how whiplash often presents. The transverse (cruciform) ligament is crucial for dens stability and its rupture would cause severe instability not typically seen in a standard whiplash pattern. The nuchal ligaments are posterior and robust, and ruptures there are not characteristic of WAD. The term cruciate is more commonly used for knee ligaments, not cervical ones. So the alar ligaments are the most likely to be involved in whiplash injuries.