Spinal cord in humans -structure and Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord in humans is protected inside the backbone or vertebral column. It extends from the medulla oblongata to the lower portion of the back. Spinal cord injury occurs when there occurs damage to the nerves or any part of the spinal cord.

Spinal Cord Structure

Its length is about 42-45 cm. Its width is different in different regions as its enlarged region that extends from the 4th cervical vertebra up to the 1st thoracic vertebra is known as the cervical enlargement. This area helps in the nervous supply to the arms. Like this the spinal cord is enlarged in the lumbar region and this area extends from the 9th thoracic vertebra up to the 12th thoracic vertebra. This area helps in the nervous supply to the legs. The spinal cord consists of a narrow cavity known as the central canal which contains cerebrospinal fluid. The spinal nerves are known as cauda equiva. The spinal cord terminates as conus medullaris which is covered with filum terminale that helps in the anchoring of spinal cord in the vertebral column.

The spinal cord is divided into two halves anteriorly by median fissure and posteriorly by median sulcus.It consists of both grey and white matter.The central canal of the spinal cord is surrounded by the grey matter. It looks like the shape of a butterfly in cross section. The grey matter constitutes anterior commissures, posterior commissures and lateral columns.

The grey matter is surrounded by the white matter and consists of bundles of nerve fibres. The grey matter columns divide the white matter into three parts called funiculi (plural) . These are-

*Anterior Funiculus

*Posterior Funiculus

*Lateral Funiculus

Functions of the Spinal Cord

1.Its main activity is the spinal reflex action.

2.It aids in conducting motor and sensory impulses to and from the brain.

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injury is of two types i.e. complete and incomplete depending upon the site and intensity of the injury. It is a complete injury if all the sensory and motor nerves below the injured area get injured and lose their function. It is called incomplete if some of the nerves keep working. Paralysis that occur due to spinal cord injury is also of two types. It is called tetraplegia if it affects the arms, hands, legs, trunk and pelvic organs. It is called paraplegia if it affecta legs, trunk and pelvic organs.

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury

1.Lack of movement

2.Lack of feelings such as hot or cold

3.Lack of bowel movement

4.Intense pain in back, head or neck

5.Paralysis

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