A 30-year-old man falls from height and lands on his feet. Autopsy reveals a fracture of the calcaneum and a vertical compression fracture of the thoracolumbar vertebrae. This pattern of injury BEST demonstrates which principle?
- A Coup injury
- B Transmission of force along the long axis of the body ✓
- C Burst fracture mechanism
- D Lateral compression injury
Correct answer: B. Transmission of force along the long axis of the body
Explanation
In a fall from height landing on the feet, the axial loading force transmits vertically through the calcaneum, tibia, femur, pelvis, and spine. This causes calcaneal fractures and vertical compression or burst fractures of vertebrae. The force travels along the long axis of the body, producing characteristic injury patterns at multiple levels.
Reference: Practical Forensic Medicine, 3rd ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.