If a patient exhibits a flaccid elbow and wrist reflex but a normal triceps reflex after a motor vehicle accident, what level of cervical spine injury might be indicated?

The presence of a flaccid elbow and wrist reflex while maintaining a normal triceps reflex suggests a neurological event at the cervical spine that specifically affects the reflex pathways for elbow and wrist function, but spares those for the triceps.

In this case, the flaccidity in the elbow and wrist reflex points to an injury impacting the muscles and nerves responsible for those movements, which are primarily associated with the C5 and C6 spinal levels. The biceps and brachialis muscles, which facilitate flexion at the elbow, are innervated by the C5-C6 nerve roots. If these connections are impaired or interrupted due to injury, one would expect to see a lack of reflexive action or flaccid response in those areas.

However, the normal triceps reflex indicates that the C7 nerve root, which is responsible for extending the elbow, remains intact. Thus, damage occurring at the C5-C6 level in this scenario would result in a loss of capability to initiate reflex movements in the elbow and wrist (flaccid), while still retaining function in the triceps (normal reflex).

Therefore, the indication of a C5-C6 cervical spine injury is supported by the described clinical findings, aligning with the presented answer