Whiplash injury is caused due to -: (A) A fall from a height, (B) Acute hyperextension of the spine, (C) A blow on top to head, (D) Acute hyperflexion of the spine
Answer is B. Whiplash injury results from acute hyperextension of the cervical spine in the region of C4-C6 vertebrae.
Note: Both hyperflexion and hyperextension (i.e. flexion followed by hyperextension) are involved in the mechanism of whiplash injury. But it is hyperextension which causes damage to the spinal cord.