[Fractures and dislocations of the cervical spine caused by hanging (author's transl)].

In comparison to the pattern of lesions of the soft tissue of the neck and the CVC in case of suicidal hanging 17 postmortal fracture-dislocations of the neck are investigated. It could be demonstrated that on principle in case of hanging the dens-fracture can occur. With respect to the hangman's fracture (Wood-Jones) a differentiation into 3 types is proposed.