EMT-Chapter 32-Spinal Column and Spinal Cord Trauma

• Central Nervous System(CNS)
• Peripheral Nervous System
• Voluntary Nervous System

The 33 vertebrae that enclose and protect the spinal cord

• Bony segments of the spinal column
• Body of a vertebra is the bulky portion that faces anteriorly in the spinal column

• Fluid-filled cartilage pad between vertebrae.
• Shock absorber

The first seven vertebrae; the neck

The 12 vertebrae that compromise the upper back.

The 5 vertebrae that from the lower back

The 5 fused vertebrae at the posterior pelvis

The 4 fused vertebrae that form the lower end of the spine; the tailbone

• Nervous tissue that extends from the brain to level L2 within spinal column
• The motor tracts carry impulses down the spinal cord and out to the muscles.
• Pain tracts carry impulses from pain receptors up the spinal cord to the brain
• Light touch tracts are tested by applying light touch to the patient.

An injury to one or more vertebrae

Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord

Spinal cord injury causing complete loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic function below the level of injury

Paralysis, loss of sensation, and possible vasodilation caused by spinal cord injury

A persistent erection of the penis

Vasodilation and relative hypovolemia caused by spinal cord injury

Injury to some but not all spinal cord tracts so that some functions are lost and some are intact.

Loss of function in upper extremities from central cord injury

Loss of most function below site of anterior cord injury

Loss of different functions on opposite sides of the body from injury to one side of the spinal cord