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About the Spinal Cord
The
spinal cord is the largest nerve in the body and an extension
of the brain. Nerve fibers are responsible for the communication
systems of the body -- sensory, motor and autonomic functions.
All the information going from the brain to the limbs travels
through the spinal cord.
The spinal cord is about 18 inches long. It starts at the
base of the brain, and extends to about the waist. Because
the spinal cord is such an important part of the nervous system,
it is surrounded and protected by bones called vertebrae.
The spinal cord is the first relay station for sensory information
on its way to the various centers of the brain. The spinal
cord has many fibers that carry these messages between the
brain and different parts of the body. The messages may:
- tell a body part to move;
-
send and receive messages of sensation from the body,
such as pain, heat, or cold; or
- control the involuntary activities of the body, such
as body temperature.
Spinal Cord Injury
Damage to the spinal cord can occur from a traumatic injury.
The backbone may pinch the spinal cord, causing it to bruise
or swell, or the injury may tear the spinal cord and its nerve
fibers.
After a spinal cord injury, all the nerves above the level
of injury keep working like they always have. However, at
the point of injury and below, the spinal cord nerves cannot
send messages between the brain and parts of the body. Sensory
functions, bladder functions, and movement are all dependent
on information that travels up and down the spinal cord. Interruption
of spinal cord function by a traumatic injury may result in
a loss of feeling and motor function.
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