Definition of Hangman's fracture
Hangman's fracture: A broken neck involving a fracture of an upper cervical vertebra similar to the injury suffered in death by hanging. The fracture affects the vertebra called the axis, the second cervical vertebra (C2), with or without subluxation (slippage) of C2 on the third cervical vertebra (C3).
Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionaryhttp://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=25212
Last Editorial Review: 3/19/2012
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