The rearward bending of the head and neck is called extension because it tends to apply a stretching as well as a bending force on the cervical spine. Forward bending of the head and neck is termed flexion. The turning motion of the head that allows you to look to the side or rear is called rotation. Spinal cord injuries, Bone fractures, Dislocation, Rupture of ligaments or other connecting tissue, Damage to the neck viscera, Strains and sprains. Spinal cord injuries occur when the spinal canal is invaded by bone particles or the canal area is damaged by a severe dislocation that causes shearing or crushing of spinal nerves and can result in death or quadriplegia.
Bone fractures can also take place as described above but without resulting in spinal cord damage.
Such injuries are usually the result of severe crashes or when the occupant is ejected from the vehicle. Dislocation results when forces cause a ramping action where the lower part of one vertebrae moves forward and over the upper part of the vertebrae below it. Such a dislocation is often very difficult to correct and spinal cord injury may result in the process. Months or years of treatment may not successfully resolve the condition and surgery may be indicated. Severe injury to the neck viscera is less common than other neck injuries.