[Spinal and spinal cord injuries in aviation medicine].

The causes of vertebral lesions in the course of flying are listed. An account is given of the dynamic forces required to bring about vertebral fracture and their mechanism. Reference is made to the most common sites of vertebral injury in crashes, particularly in the case of helicopters, and during catapulted seat ejection. Lastly, sites of vertebral fracture in parachutists are discussed.