Is it possible to survive an injury that effectively separates your head from your spine? The answer, defying all odds, is a resounding yes, though the journey is fraught with peril and the scales are heavily tipped towards immediate fatality.Internal decapitation, clinically termed occipitocervical dissociation (OCD), is a catastrophic injury where the ligaments connecting the skull to the spine are severed. This doesn't mean the head physically detaches; rather, the bony connection remains, but the critical soft tissues that provide stability are disrupted. The consequences are often devastating. While the term "internal decapitation" might sound like something out of a horror film, it is a very real and incredibly dangerous medical condition. The vast majority of those who suffer this injury, estimated between 70% and 99%, succumb instantly. But against these staggering odds, stories of survival emerge, testaments to medical ingenuity, resilience, and a touch of the miraculous.

Category	Information
Medical Term	Occipitocervical Dissociation (OCD)
Description	Severance of ligaments connecting the skull to the spine.
Mortality Rate	70-99% immediate death
Common Causes	Traumatic accidents (car crashes, motorcycle accidents, falls)
Mechanism of Injury	Hyperextension and/or hyperflexion of the neck, often with rotational forces
Neurological Consequences	Severe neurologic deficits are common in survivors, including paralysis, sensory loss, and cranial nerve dysfunction.
Treatment	Surgical stabilization (occipitocervical fusion) is typically required to re-establish stability.
Survival Factors	Rapid medical intervention, specialized trauma care, and the degree of neurological damage sustained.
Illustrative Example	Henry Flynn, survived internal decapitation after a car accident.
Reference Link	American Association of Neurological Surgeons - Occipitocervical Instability