Introduction
The paediatric cervical spine has many mechanical differences from that of the adult [7-10]:
- Relatively large head leading to higher fulcrum of flexion (C2/3)
- Horizontally aligned facet joints
- Underdeveloped uncinate process leading to flatter articular surface
- Anterior ‘wedging’ of vertebral bodies
- Cartilaginous synchondrosis at the junction of the odontoid peg and C2 vertebral body
- Less rigid ligamentous support & weak supportive muscles
