The purpose of this website is to provide access you with acccess to U.S attorneys who have experience in spinal cord trauma claims, whether from auto accidents, work accidents, or medical malpractice.
If you feel you would like legal advice, please complete the contact form and we will arrange for an attorney to contact you as soon as possible.
Our attorneys understand how complex spinal cord trauma cases can be. They are fully experienced in fighting for your rights, and ensuring that you receive the best payout for your lawsuit.
The Spinal Column (Spine)
The spinal column (or spine) extends from the base of the skull to the coccyx (tailbone).
When considering the anatomy of the spine, it is usually described by dividing up the spine into 3 major sections: the cervical, the thoracic, and the lumbar spine. Below the lumbar spine is the sacrum, which is a bone and part of the pelvis.
There are 33 bones that comprise your backbone. There are:
• 7 cervical vertebrae in the neck.
• 12 thoracic vertebrae in the upper back.
• 5 lumbar vertebrae in the lower back.
• 5 sacral vertebrae that are fused together to form the sacrum
• 4 coccygeal vertebrae that are also fused together to form the coccyx.
Each of vertebrae are referred to by their name and number so that the cervical vertebrae are C1, C2, C3 … The “C” stands for cervical and the number of position of the vertebrae counting downwards from the head. The thoracic vertebrae are labeled T1 – T12 and the lumbar vertebrae are L1 – L5.
What is the spinal cord?
Your spinal cord and your brain make up your central nervous system, which control many of the important functions of your body. Your spinal cord runs approximately 15 to 17 inches from the base of your brain to your waist, and is surrounded and protected by the spinal column. The spinal cord is covered by three layers of tissue known as the meninges. The spinal cord and meninges are contained within the spinal canal, which runs through the center of the spine.
Millions of nerve fibres make up the spinal cord, and are responsible for that transmitting information to and from the limbs, trunk and various organs of the body. Nerves called the spinal nerves or nerve roots come off the spinal cord and they pass between the bones to carry messages from the spinal cord to other parts of the body:
- Nerves in the neck are known as cervical nerves. They supply movement and feeling to the arms, neck and upper trunk.
- The thoracic nerves (that is, the nerves in the upper back) supply the trunk and abdomen.
The lower back nerves known as the lumbar and sacral nerves supply the legs, bowel, bladder, and sexual organs. The spinal cord ends around the level of the disk between T12 and L1 vertebrae, and below this level there is an extension of the spinal cord known as the cauda equina.
Both the nerves and the segments in the spinal cord are numbered in the same way as the bones: for example, the cervical nerves and spinal cord segments are called C1-C8, the thoracic are T1-T12 etc.
The vertebrae protect the spinal cord. The vertebrae are separated by disks made of cartilage, which act as cushions.
The level of the spinal cord segments do not relate exactly to the level of the vertebral bodies, that is, damage to the bone at a particular level. For example, the Sacral segments (S1-S5 “cauda equina”) are level with T12-L1 vertebrae.
Spinal Cord Anatomy: What are dermatomes?
These are areas of the skin that are supplied by each segment of the spinal cord and spinal nerves.
Spinal Cord Anatomy: What are myotomes?
Each muscle in the body is supplied by a particular segment of the spinal cord and by its corresponding spinal nerve. The muscle, and its nerve make up a myotome.
For example:
- C3,4,5 supply the diaphragm
- C5 supplies the muscles in the shoulder and the muscle that allows us to bend our elbow
- C6 is for bending the wrist back
- C7 allows straightening of the elbow
- C8 allows the fingers to bend
- T1 spreads the fingers
- T1-T12- chest wall and abdominal muscles
- L2 allows the hip to bend
- L3 straightens the knee
- L4 foot pulls upwards
- L5 toes wiggle
- S1 pulls foot downwards
- S3,4,5 supply the bladder, bowel, sex organs.
How does spinal cord trauma happen?
Auto accidents, catastrophic falls, crushes and other severe accidents can cause physical damage which crushes and compresses the spine. The vertebrae and nerves of the spine can all be damaged, leading to permanent injury.
If you have suffered from spinal cord trauma, the effects on your life can be damaging. Our lawyers can advise you of your legal rights. They are experienced in lawsuits and in representing injured workers, those injured in auto accidents, and people hurt by medical malpractice.
Contact us today for obligation-free legal advice.
Just complete the contact form.
|
