Hangman's fracture involves fracture of which vertebra?

• A. C2
• B. C1
• C. C3
• D. C4

Answer: (A)

Hangman's fracture is a fracture of the axis, the second cervical vertebra. It classically involves bilateral fractures through the pars interarticularis of C2, usually from a hyperextension mechanism, leading to anterior displacement of C2 relative to C3. This distinguishes it from injuries of other cervical levels or structures, such as a Jefferson fracture of C1 or a dens (odontoid) fracture of C2. So the vertebra involved is the second cervical vertebra, the axis.