The spine is made flexible by discs located between each vertebra and ligaments made of tough elastic fibers which hold the vertebrae together. The spine gives the body stability and protects the spinal cord which is located in a narrow canal that runs through the center of each vertebra.
Together the brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. The function of the spinal cord is to relay messages from the brain to the body and from the body back to the brain. All movements of the body and limbs and all sensation are relayed through the spinal cord and the spinal cord also plays a part in the transmission of messages from the autonomic nervous system which regulates many body functions such as heartbeat, blood pressure and temperature regualation.
Damage to the spinal cord can disturb any or all of these functions.
The 33 vertebrate that make up the spine are separated into 5 groups:
-Coccyx (Tailbone)
-Sacrum (S1-S5)
-Lumbar (L1-L5)
-Thoracic (T1-T12)
-Cervical (C1-C7)
Injuries to the spinal cord are divided into 2 groups:
1. Paraplegia
2. Quadriplegia
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