About Spinal Cord Injury

The spinal cord runs through the center of the spinal column – a structure made up of 33 roughly cylindrical bones called vertebrae.

There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves divided into groups – cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral – according to the section of the spine from which they emerge. Here is how the body is affected when the spine is damaged.

C1 – C8

  • C4 Diaphragm
  • C5 Deltoid and Biceps
  • C6 Wrist extensions
  • C7 Triceps
  • C8 Hand

T1 – T12

  • T2 – T7 Chest Muscles
  • T9 – T12 Abdominal Muscles

L1 – L5

  • L1 – L5 Leg Muscles

S1 – S5

  • S1 – S5 Significant with bowel, bladder, and sexual function

 

More information on SCI:

Understanding Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injury (Northern Alberta) Society