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Skeletal Atlas of Child Abuse pp 57–67Cite as

Fractures of the Vertebral Column, Sternum, Scapulae, and Clavicles

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Part of the book series: Springer’s Forensic Laboratory Science Series ((SFLSS))

Abstract

Vertebral, sternal, and scapular fractures are rare in children and are described in the literature as highly specific for child abuse injury [1–7]. However, current research suggests that sternal fracture may actually occur more often as a result of low-force accidental impact [3, 5]. Clavicular fractures are a very common accidental injury in children but may become more suspicious for nonaccidental injury when they occur on the lateral or medial thirds of the shaft or when there are concurrent fractures of the scapula or vertebrae [8–10]. This chapter takes a holistic approach to the torso by describing fractures of the neck, the thoracic skeleton, the pectoral girdles, and the thoracolumbar and sacral regions of the spine. Although the ribs are components of the thoracic skeleton, the common and complex nature of pediatric rib fractures requires a full chapter of detailed description; therefore, these fractures are not discussed here (see Chap. 3).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forensic Anthropology Division, Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA

    Jennifer C. Love PhD (Forensic Anthropology Director), Sharon M. Derrick PhD (Agency Coordinator/Forensic Anthropologist) & Jason M. Wiersema PhD (Forensic Anthropologist/Disaster Preparedness Coordinator)

Authors
  1. Jennifer C. Love PhD
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  2. Sharon M. Derrick PhD
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  3. Jason M. Wiersema PhD
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Correspondence to Jennifer C. Love PhD .

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Love, J.C., Derrick, S.M., Wiersema, J.M. (2011). Fractures of the Vertebral Column, Sternum, Scapulae, and Clavicles. In: Skeletal Atlas of Child Abuse. Springer’s Forensic Laboratory Science Series. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-216-8_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-216-8_4

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-215-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-216-8

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