Spinal Cord Injury

What is the spinal cord?

The spinal cord is part of the nervous system and measures approximately 18 inches long, extending from the base of the brain to about the waist. The nerves that branch out from the spinal cord to the other parts of the body are called lower motor neurons (LMNs). These spinal nerves exit and enter at each vertebral level and communicate with specific areas of the body.

What is a spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the nerves within the spinal canal. Most SCI's are caused by trauma to the vertebral column, thereby affecting the spinal cord's ability to send and receive messages from the brain to the body's systems that control sensory, motor and autonomic function below the level of injury.

What is the difference between a complete and incomplete injury?

There are two classifications for spinal cord injuries -- complete and incomplete. In a complete injury, nerve damage obstructs every signal coming from the brain to the body parts below the injury. In an incomplete injury, only some of the signals are obstructed.