Which trauma is associated with the number 2 in the sequence?

• A. Inferior vertical strain
• B. Left lateral strain
• C. Right lateral strain
• D. Right sidebending rotation

Answer: (C)

Cranial strains come from how the sphenobasilar joint moves when trauma disturbs the cranial mechanism. The patterns are named by the direction in which the SBS moves: vertical strains move the SBS up or down, lateral strains move it side-to-side, torsions rotate the bones about the SBS, and sidebending-rotations combine bending and rotation. In the sequence used in this context, the trauma pattern listed as number two corresponds to a right lateral strain. That means the sphenoid and occiput rotate in opposite directions with the SBS shifted toward the right, producing a rightward lateral displacement. Clinically this shows up as rightward asymmetry and a restriction pattern consistent with a right lateral strain. The other options describe different patterns: an inferior vertical strain shifts along the vertical axis, a left lateral strain is the left-side counterpart, and a right sidebending-rotation is a distinct pattern combining lateral bend and rotation to the right.