Defining and Differentiating Spinal Cord Injury

Defining Spinal Cord Injury
The spinal cord is a long thin band of nervous and support tissues.  It extends from the brain to the lumbar spine, then tapers out towards the sacral spine or, tailbone.  It is housed protectively inside the vertebral canal - the hollow centre of the vertebrae.  The spinal cord serves as a pathway for motor and sensory functions.  It also mediates certain reflexes.  All the nerves of our body connect to the brain via the spinal cord.

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a result of a traumatic assault to this part of the body.  It is caused by physical injury and not disease.  SCIs may be complete or partial.  This means that loss of motor and sensory function may be complete, partial or altered. Some reflexes may be lost, or remain intact. The areas of the body affected by SCI are dependent on the location and the degree of the injury.

Differentiating Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)

Paraplegia is impairment of motor and sensory function of the lower extremities.  It can be a result of injury of the thoracic, lumbar or sacral spine.  This can involve impairment of the legs, sexual organs and bowel and bladder function.

Quadriplegia (also known as tetraplegia) is impairment of motor and sensory function of the torso and all limbs.  It can be a result of injury of the cervical spine.  This can involve impairment of all limbs, sexual organs, bowel and bladder function and even, breathing and coughing.