Minerva cast /minur″və/ [L, Minerva, Roman goddess of wisdom; ONorse, kasta] , an orthopedic cast applied to the trunk and head, with spaces cut out for the face and ears. The section encasing the trunk extends to the sternum and the distal rib border anteriorly and across the distal rib border posteriorly. The cast is used to immobilize the head and part of the trunk in the treatment of torticollis, cervical and thoracic injuries, and cervical spinal infections. It is not used as frequently as it once was because of advances in the field of orthotics. Also called Minerva jacket.
