What would happen to a person if his spinal cord were damaged?

When the spinal cord is damaged, the message from the brain cannot get through. The spinal nerves below the level of injury get signals, but they are not able to go up the spinal tracts to the brain. Reflex movements can happen, but these are not movements that can be controlled.

Why might an injury to the lower spinal cord cause a loss of sensation in the legs?

We’re able to perceive pain and move our limbs because of messages sent through the spinal cord. If the spinal cord sustains an injury, some or all of these impulses may not be able to “get through.” The result is a complete or total loss of sensation and mobility below the injury.

Why does a spinal cord injury cause paralysis?

It is sometimes easier to imagine the spinal cord as the brain’s relay system; its method of transmitting messages throughout the body. If the spinal cord is damaged through a spinal cord injury, it can cause a disruption of signals to areas of the body, and results in paralysis.

How does spinal cord injury affect breathing?

Respiratory impairment following spinal cord injury (SCI) is more severe in high cervical injuries, and is characterised by low lung volumes and a weak cough secondary to respiratory muscle weakness. Autonomic dysfunction and early-onset sleep disordered breathing compound this respiratory compromise.

How do spinal cord injuries happen?

Spinal cord injuries can result from damage to the vertebrae, ligaments or disks of the spinal column or to the spinal cord itself. A traumatic spinal cord injury can stem from a sudden, traumatic blow to your spine that fractures, dislocates, crushes or compresses one or more of your vertebrae.

Why spinal cord injuries are permanent?

Spinal cord injuries are permanent because it’s direct damage to the nerves that send signals to the brain that controls many of our functions. While modern medicine can help partially heal some of those wounds and allow some with spinal injuries to lead independent lives, there are some injuries that are permanent.

Why a person who has a spinal cord injury at C6 is spared from needing a ventilator?

Because a C6 spinal cord injury can affect your ability to exhale forcefully and cough, it means that airway aspirations may build up in the airways and lungs. Another contributing factor can be increased production of these bodily fluids.

How does spinal cord injury affect reflexes?

Spinal cord injuries first change the reflexes that occur in the nearest segment of the injury, then change the reflexes more distal away from the injured segment. Thus, high-level cervical injuries may have a longer preservation of sacral reflexes such as preserved bulbocavernosus and anal reflex.

What type of paralysis would occur with an injury at the level of the vertebrae listed?

Lumbar spinal cord injury L1-L5 Lumbar level injuries result in paralysis or weakness of the legs (paraplegia).

What part of the spine affects breathing?

Cervical Spine Injuries and Paralysis Injuries to the cervical spinal cord typically produce the most extensive disabilities. This region of the spinal cord plays a key role in the body’s most vital functions, including breathing, and controls most motor skills below the site of the injury.

What does spinal cord do?

The brain and spinal cord are your body’s central nervous system. The brain is the command center for your body, and the spinal cord is the pathway for messages sent by the brain to the body and from the body to the brain.