SPINAL CORD

 SPINAL CORD

The spinal cord is a long array of nerves and cells from the lower part of the brain to the lower back. It carries signals between the brain and the rest of the body. This article covers the basic anatomy of the spine and its functions. It also provides some information about spinal cord injuries.

What is the main function of the spine?

It connects your brain with your lower back. Your spine carries nerve signals from your brain to your body and vice versa. These emotional symptoms help you to feel emotions and move your body. Any damage to your spinal cord can affect your movement or function.

What are the 4 spinal functions?

What does the spine do?

Motor Functions - directs your body movement voluntarily.

Neurological functions - monitor sensory sensitivity, pressure, temperature, and pain.

Autonomic Functions - controls digestion, urination, body temperature, heart rate, and stretching/contraction of blood vessels (blood pressure).

What are the parts of the spine?

The spinal cord is divided into four distinct regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions (Figure 3.1). Different cable regions can be separated by looking at each other

How does the spinal cord connect to the brain?

The brain stem connects the brain with the spinal cord. It controls hunger and thirst as well as other basic bodily functions, such as body temperature, blood pressure, and respiration. The brain is protected by skull bones and three small membranes called meninges.

How many bones are in the spine?

The average person is born with 33 individual bones (vertebrae) that connect and interact with flexible joints called facets. By the time a person becomes an adult most have only 24 vertebrae because some vertebrae at the end of the spine come together during normal growth and development.

How do emotions come out of the spine?

The nerve roots emerge from the spinal canal through the intervertebral foramen, small holes between each vertebra. The brain and spinal cord form the Central Nervous System (CNS). The nerve roots that emerge from the spinal cord / spinal canal exit the body to form the Peripheral Nervous System.

Where are the T4 and T5 in the spine?

What are T4-T8 Vertebrae? The T4-T8 vertebrae form other thoracic vertebrae in front of the thoracic spine T9 - T12. Except for T4, which affects both the chest and abdomen, these vertebrae primarily control the abdominal muscles. The T4 and T5 vertebrae are the most common as thoracic vertebrae.

Can your spine affect your brain?

Spinal cord injury can lead to widespread and progressive brain inflammation leading to progressive loss of nerve cells, and problems associated with thinking and depression, the researchers found for the first time.

How do you relieve back pain?

10 Ways to Manage Back Pain at Home

Keep Moving. You may not feel like it when you are in pain. ...

Stretch Tighten. Strong muscles, especially in the center of your abdomen, help to support your back. ...

Keep Good Position. ...

Maintain a Healthy Weight. ...

Stop Smoking. ...

Try Ice and Heat. ...

Know Your OTC Medications. ...

Apply to Medicated Creams.

Is walking well a pain in the back?

Simple walking movements are one of the best things we can do with chronic low back pain. Ten to fifteen minutes of walking twice a day will help relieve lower back pain. Replace this activity with a more powerful form of exercise if you like and/or can.

What causes back pain?

Excessive exercise, muscle tension, or injury to the muscles, ligaments, and discs that support your spine. Negative posture. Compression of the spinal cord arises from certain problems, such as a herniated disc. Fracture of one of the vertebrae.

How long does it take to recover from back pain?

Back pain is one of the most common reasons why people visit a health care provider. The good news is that pain often goes away, and people usually recover within a week or two. Most people want to stay in bed when their back hurts. For many years, bed rest was the norm.

How long does back pain last?

Severe, or short-term back pain lasts for a few days to a few weeks. Most low back pain is painful. It usually resolves itself within a few days of self-care and there is no residual loss of function. In some cases, a few months are needed for symptoms to subside.

What are the symptoms of severe spinal cord injury?

Muscle weakness.

Voluntary loss of muscle movement in the chest, arms, or legs.

Respiratory problems.

Loss of sensation in the chest, arms, or legs.

Loss of intestinal and other function

How do you know if you have a back injury?

Emergency signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include:

Severe back pain or pressure in your neck, head, or back.

Weakness, dysfunction, or disability in any part of your body.

Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet, or toes.

Loss of control of the bladder or intestines.