Spinous process fracture refers to the fracture caused by excessive flexion of the cervical spine. Simple spinous process fracture is rare and is often accompanied by fractures of the vertebral body or other accessories. C6 to T1 spinous processes are more common. Fractures are common in shovelers and miners, also known as "shoveler" fractures. Under violent flexion, the antagonistic traction of the cervical spinous process and muscles causes spinous process avulsion fractures. Vertical compression violence can also cause longitudinal vertebral split fractures, causing the spinous process to split along the sagittal direction, but this is uncommon. Spinous process fractures often occur above the base of the spinous process. The fracture is accompanied by tearing of the interspinous ligament and nuchal ligament without involving the spinal canal and intervertebral foramen. It is rarely accompanied by spinal cord and nerve root damage.