Injury to thoracic spine necessitates severe force
thoracic spine has enhanced stiffness secondary to articulations with the rib cage
When spinal cord injury occurs usually complete
thoracic spinal canal is narrower than in other regions, increased risk of cord injury
Important to evaluate for thoracic spine injuries and aortic injuries in the setting of blunt chest trauma with mediastinlal widening
Follows the three column model - Stable if two or more of the spinal columns are intact:
Anterior (anterior longitudinal ligament, annulus fibrosus, ant. half of the vertebral body)
Middle (posterior longitudinal ligament, posterior annulus fibrous, and post. half of vertebral body
Posterior (supraspinous and interspinous ligaments, ligamentum flavum, facet joint capsule)
Unstable if:
50% loss of vertebral height
Kyphotic angulation around the<unk> 
>30' for compression<unk> > 25' for burst<unk> Neurologic deficit
thoracic spine has enhanced stiffness secondary to articulations with the rib cage
When spinal cord injury occurs usually complete
thoracic spinal canal is narrower than in other regions, increased risk of cord injury
Anterior (anterior longitudinal ligament, annulus fibrosus, ant. half of the vertebral body)
Middle (posterior longitudinal ligament, posterior annulus fibrous, and post. half of vertebral body
Posterior (supraspinous and interspinous ligaments, ligamentum flavum, facet joint capsule)
50% loss of vertebral height
Kyphotic angulation around the<unk> 
>30' for compression<unk> > 25' for burst<unk> Neurologic deficit
>30' for compression<unk> > 25' for burst<unk> Cervical<unk>  and dislocations
Atlanto-occipital dissociation
C1
Jefferson<unk> C1 isolated anterior arch<unk> C1 isolated posterior arch<unk> C2
Odontoid<unk> Hangman's<unk> C3-C7
Cervical burst<unk> Cervical spinous process<unk> Extension cervical teardrop<unk> Flexion cervical teardrop<unk> Anterior cervical wedge<unk> Cervical facet dislocation
Isolated transverse process<unk> unk> 
Chance<unk> Thoracic burst<unk> Lumbar burst<unk> Isolated transverse process<unk> Thoracic and lumbar compression<unk> 
Atlanto-occipital dissociation
C1
Jefferson<unk> C1 isolated anterior arch<unk> C1 isolated posterior arch<unk> C2
Odontoid<unk> Hangman's<unk> C3-C7
Cervical burst<unk> Cervical spinous process<unk> Extension cervical teardrop<unk> Flexion cervical teardrop<unk> Anterior cervical wedge<unk> Cervical facet dislocation
Isolated transverse process<unk> Jefferson<unk> C1 isolated anterior arch<unk> C1 isolated posterior arch<unk> Odontoid<unk> Hangman's<unk> Cervical burst<unk> Cervical spinous process<unk> Extension cervical teardrop<unk> Flexion cervical teardrop<unk> Anterior cervical wedge<unk> Chance<unk> Thoracic burst<unk> Lumbar burst<unk> Isolated transverse process<unk> Thoracic and lumbar compression<unk>
Thoracic and lumbar fractures and dislocations
Airway/Pulmonary
Vertebral fractures and dislocations
Bronchial injury
Thoracic and lumbar compression fractures
Diaphragmatic trauma
Cervical fractures and dislocations
Hemothorax