Question 1

what is spinal cord insult?

Accepted Answer

Cord Injury: Its a generic term used for injury to the spinal cord. Usual causes include infection, trauma, autoimmune/inflammatory and from multiple sclerosis.

Question 2

how big is the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Not very: The spinal cord is roughly 18 inches long and somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 inch in diameter.  It extends from the foramen magnum (the giant hole at the base of the skull) to approximately the 10th-12th thoracic vertebrae.

Question 3

what can injure the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Many: Definition of the word injury is important. Spinal cord can be damaged by trauma, compression, infection, decreased blood supply, autoimmune disorder etc etc.

Question 4

is there another name for the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Medulla: In old anatomy, medulla spinalis refers to the spinal cord and medulla oblongata refers to the back part of the brain (that is now commonly referred to as just medulla). Different parts of the spinal cord have separate names, such as conus (bottom portion).

Question 5

how common are injuries to the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Moderate: Fortunately, the bones in the spine give us pretty good protection and spinal cord injuries are much less common than things like broken wrists, collarbones, legs, etc. But they are devastating injuries when they lead to paralysis, so you should do everything you can do to prevent them.  Wear your seatbelt, be very careful on ladders, stay off roofs (unless trained), don't dive into water, etc.

Question 6

could dr. reconnect nerves to my spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Not yet I am: Sorry to say. This is something medicine is working on very hard right now with stem cells and grafts, but the science just is not there yet.

Question 7

in what way are nerves in the spinal cord damaged?

Accepted Answer

Most often trauma: Trauma can either sever the nerves or cause enough inflammation and swelling that a section can die off, with same results. Other things, such autoimmune, ischemia (lack of blood flow) and infection, can severely damage the cord as well.

Question 8

what happens if your spinal cord is crushed or cut?

Accepted Answer

Bad Prognosis: If spinal cord is severed, all functions inferior will be essentially ablated, and paralysis, sensory perception loss, and bowel/ bladder function will be destroyed.  A crush is more variable with maybe some preservation of function, but could be as severe as through and through cut.

Question 9

can you please tell me functions of the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Contains the nerves: Which go to your muscles of your body
and also to the sensory receptors in your body.  You have a complex nervous system which has sympathetic, parasympathetic and yoru sensation and motor control.  These neurons and axons are in the spinal cord and control your body.  It transmits the electrical impulses which control yoru bodies functions and muscles.

Question 10

what is a space occupying lesion on the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Serious: This s an abnormal tissue growth in the spinal cord. It may be caused by trauma (swelling), multiple sclerosis, a tumor or infection. This require an urgent evaluation by a neurologist.  We often get an MRI to further work up the lesion.

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Interesting facts about the spinal cord

A member asked:

What is spinal cord insult?

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How big is the spinal cord?

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What can injure the spinal cord?

A member asked:

Is there another name for the spinal cord?

A member asked:

How common are injuries to the spinal cord?

A member asked:

Could dr. reconnect nerves to my spinal cord?

A member asked:

In what way are nerves in the spinal cord damaged?

A member asked:

What happens if your spinal cord is crushed or cut?

A member asked:

Can you please tell me functions of the spinal cord?

A member asked:

What is a space occupying lesion on the spinal cord?

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