[Writing of expertises on whiplash injuries of the cervical spine (author's transl)].

Reflections on the definition of the term "whiplash injury" are followed by comments on the mechanism of accidents. The author emphasizes the importance of the biphasic course of the trauma, involving a mass contraction, triggered by reflex action, of the initially suddenly overstretched muscle groups with their synergist. Reference is made to the ideas developed by Kummer, who considers the neck as an arcuate tendon construction with tractional tension on the dorsal as well as on the ventral side. In the analysis of the injury pattern of the cervical spine, the special forms of intervertebral disc injury are dealt with, the relationship to degenerative lesions prior to the accident and to secondary lesions (spondylosis deformans and osteochondrosis) are discussed in detail, and the consequences for writing medical expertises are mentioned.