ABSTRACT

The cervical spine, which extends from the occiput to the C7 vertebra, has an important role in body mobility and is one of the regions most affected by trauma. In particular, the upper cervical spine constitutes the largest portion of cervical mobility due to its unique anatomical and biomechanical features provided by a complex system consisting of bone morphology and ligament stability; it becomes vulnerable during both low-and high-energy trauma and is frequently affected on a broad spectrum, from mild to severe. In addition to accurate diagnosis when evaluating cervical spine injuries, reliable and practical classification systems are needed to evaluate spinal stability and neurological injury potential and to assist clinicians in treatment. Many different classification systems have been developed over time, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we provide an overview of current cervical spine trauma classifications as well as an update on new and upcoming developments on this topic.