Severe flexion of the c-spine can cause disruption of the posterior ligaments with anterior compression of the vertebral body. This is called a flexion teardrop fracture. A teardrop fracture is usually associated with a spinal cord injury, often a result of displacement of the posterior portion of the vertebral body into the central spinal canal.^[1]

[edit] References

1. ^ Brant W, Helms C. Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology. pp. 1110. 

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