According to John Hopkins Medicine, spinal cord injuries are most common in the cervical region (the upper-most region of the spine, starting just below the skull) and the thoracic region (the middle of the spine, between the cervical and lumbar regions).
Thoracic Spinal Cord Section Nerves in the thoracic or rib cage area (T1 through T 12) relay signals to the torso and some parts of the arms. Individuals with injuries from T1 to T8 usually affect control of the upper torso, limiting trunk movement and sensation as the result of a lack of abdominal muscle control.
SCI typically affects the cervical level of the spinal cord (50%) with the single most common level affected being C5 (1). Other injuries include the thoracic level (35%) and lumbar region (11%).
The spinal cord is an extension of the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord. The spinal cord begins at the bottom of the brain stem (at the area called the medulla oblongata) and ends in the lower back, as it tapers to form a cone called the conus medullaris.
Cervical spine is the most vulnerable part of the spine. A 17-year-old girl was injured when her car was struck from behind while she was stopped at a red light.
Common spine conditions and injuries include:Herniated discs.Lumbar spinal stenosis.Scoliosis.Spinal cord compression.Spinal nerve compression.Spinal deformity.Spinal fractures.Spinal tumors.
Central cord syndrome is the most common form of incomplete spinal cord injury characterized by impairment in the arms and hands and to a lesser extent in the legs.