<prompt> Tear drop fracture of lower cervical spine implies -Wedge compression fractureAxial compression fracturesFlexion-rotation injury with failure of anterior bodyFlexion compression failure of body  <response>: Severe injuries are due to axial compression of the cervical spine, usually in diving or athletic accidents . If veebral body is crushed in neutral position of the neck the result is burst fracture. With combined axial compression flexion ,an antero- inferior fragment of the veebral body is sheared off , producing eponymous ;tear drop; on lateral x- ray .in both type there is a risk of posterior displacement of the veebral body fragment spinal cord injury . plain x- ray - flexion deformity with a triangular fragment separated from antero- inferior edge of the fractured veebra REF : MAHESWARI 9TH ED 