A traumatic spondylolisthesis is usually due to an acute fracture of which part of the vertebrae?

Prepare for the Bodalia Exam with engaging quiz questions. Explore multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations to boost your readiness. Aim for success!

Multiple Choice

A traumatic spondylolisthesis is usually due to an acute fracture of which part of the vertebrae?

Traumatic spondylolisthesis occurs when a fracture disrupts the pars interarticularis, the narrow bone bridge between the facets on each vertebra. If this area fractures, especially on both sides, the stability that keeps the vertebral body aligned is lost, allowing the upper vertebra to slip forward relative to the one below. Other parts like the posterior arch, the vertebral body itself, or the pedicle don’t create that same pattern of forward translation when fractured, so they’re not the typical cause of this slipping. A classic example of this mechanism is a bilateral pars interarticularis fracture seen in hangman’s fracture at the C2 level, where displacement occurs due to disruption of that pars region.

Traumatic spondylolisthesis occurs when a fracture disrupts the pars interarticularis, the narrow bone bridge between the facets on each vertebra. If this area fractures, especially on both sides, the stability that keeps the vertebral body aligned is lost, allowing the upper vertebra to slip forward relative to the one below. Other parts like the posterior arch, the vertebral body itself, or the pedicle don’t create that same pattern of forward translation when fractured, so they’re not the typical cause of this slipping. A classic example of this mechanism is a bilateral pars interarticularis fracture seen in hangman’s fracture at the C2 level, where displacement occurs due to disruption of that pars region.

More practice questions