Questions On Spinal Cord Injuries!

Brown-Sequard syndrome is a neurological condition caused by damage to one half of the spinal cord. It typically results in a loss of pain and temperature sensation on the opposite side of the lesion, while preserving touch and proprioception. This is due to the crossing of sensory pathways in the spinal cord. Therefore, the given statement is true.

The spinal center for urination is indeed located in the conus medullaris, which is found in the S2-S4 region of the spinal cord. This region contains the nerves responsible for controlling the bladder and coordinating the process of urination.

lung complications or infection

Spinal shock refers to a temporary loss of reflexes and muscle function that occurs immediately after a spinal cord injury. During this period, there may be a complete absence of reflexes and flaccidity (limpness) in the muscles below the level of injury. However, sensation may still be preserved, meaning that the person can still feel touch, pain, and temperature below the level of injury. The absence of loss of sensation below the level of injury is not characteristic of spinal shock.

In an upper motor neuron lesion, flaccidity does not develop. Flaccidity refers to a lack of muscle tone and weakness, which is typically seen in lower motor neuron lesions. In upper motor neuron lesions, there is usually hypertonia (increased muscle tone) and spasticity due to the disruption of the descending motor pathways. Therefore, the statement "In an upper motor neuron lesion, flaccidity develops" is false.

During spinal shock, the bladder is actually flaccid or relaxed, not contracted. Spinal shock is a temporary condition that occurs after a spinal cord injury, where there is a loss of reflexes and sensation below the level of injury. This includes the loss of bladder control and the inability to empty the bladder voluntarily. As a result, the bladder becomes flaccid and overfills with urine, leading to urinary retention. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

Spinal shock is a temporary condition that occurs immediately after a spinal cord injury. It is characterized by a loss of reflexes, muscle flaccidity, and decreased muscle tone, rather than rigidity in the joints. Therefore, the statement that spinal shock causes rigidity in the joints is false.

The correct answer is hyperextension. Hyperextension refers to the excessive backward movement of a joint or body part beyond its normal range of motion. In the context of the given options, hyperextension can lead to the stretching or rupture of the anterior longitudinal ligament, which is a common injury in the spine. This can result in a central cord injury, where the spinal cord is damaged in the center, causing neurological deficits. Other options such as anterior cord syndrome, posterior cord syndrome, and flexion-rotation are not directly related to hyperextension.

below L1

Nerve roots have the ability to regenerate to some extent. While they may not regenerate fully, they can undergo a process called neuroregeneration, where damaged nerve fibers can regrow and reconnect with the appropriate target cells. This process can be facilitated through various treatments and therapies. Therefore, the statement that nerve roots cannot regenerate is false.

Anterior cord syndrome is a condition characterized by damage to the anterior portion of the spinal cord. It is an extremely rare condition that typically results from a rupture of the posterior spinal ligament. The syndrome is associated with a wide steppage gait and affects motor cord function, as well as the sense of pain and light touch.

Hyperextension refers to the excessive backward bending of a joint or body part. In the context of central cord syndrome, hyperextension can cause damage to the anterior portion of the spinal cord. This can occur when the neck or back is forcefully extended beyond its normal range of motion, leading to compression or injury to the spinal cord. The symptoms of central cord syndrome, such as a wide steppage gait, are consistent with the damage caused by hyperextension. Therefore, hyperextension is the most likely cause of central cord syndrome in this scenario.

T9-T11 innervate the lower abdominals. This means that the nerves originating from the spinal levels T9, T10, and T11 are responsible for supplying the lower abdominal muscles with the necessary nerve signals for contraction and movement. The external intercostals are innervated by different nerves, while the upper abdominals are not specifically mentioned in relation to T9-T11 innervation. Therefore, the correct answer is lower abdominals.

The correct answer is bleeding in the spinal column. A contusion is a bruise, and in this context, it refers to an injury to the spinal cord caused by pressure. Bleeding in the spinal column can occur as a result of this injury and can further damage the spinal cord, leading to loss of sensory or motor function below the level of the injury. Direct injury may also cause bleeding in the spinal column, exacerbating the contusion.

upper most vertebrae displaced over vertebrae below

The correct answer is "damage to the anterior portion of the cord." In anterior cord syndrome, there is damage to the front portion of the spinal cord, specifically the anterior spinal artery. This can occur due to a flexion injury of the cervical spine. The result is a loss of motor function and sensation for pain and temperature, while preserving motor function and sense of light touch.

The given answer states that posterior cord syndrome is common. Posterior cord syndrome is a rare neurological condition caused by damage to the posterior spinal cord. It is characterized by the loss of proprioception below the level of injury, which refers to the body's ability to sense its position in space. Additionally, individuals with posterior cord syndrome may experience a wide-steppage gait and a loss of two-point discrimination below the level of injury. Therefore, the statement that posterior cord syndrome is common is incorrect.

The correct answer suggests that a concussion is produced by pressure on the spinal cord. This means that the injury to the spinal cord is caused by external force or compression, leading to a disruption in the normal functioning of the cord. This pressure can result in the loss of sensory or motor function below the level of the injury. It is important to note that a concussion is different from bleeding or tearing in the spinal column, as mentioned in the other options.

The correct answer is "keep proprioception kinesthesia and vibratory sense on side of lesion." This answer is incorrect because in Brown-Sequard syndrome, there is a hemisection (half-section) of the spinal cord. This results in the loss of motor function, proprioception, and vibratory sense on the side of the lesion. Therefore, the correct statement would be that these senses are lost on the side of the lesion, not kept.

The statement "lesions above S2-S4 cause a non-reflexive bladder and needs catheterization" is false. Lesions above S2-S4 actually cause a reflexive bladder, meaning that the bladder can still empty itself without the need for catheterization.

The statement is incorrect. Root escape refers to the preservation of nerve root function despite the presence of a lesion at or near the level of the nerve root. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

Posterior cord syndrome is a condition that occurs when there is damage to the posterior spinal cord, resulting in loss of proprioception, vibration sense, and fine touch. Hyperflexion of the spine can cause compression and damage to the spinal cord, leading to various syndromes such as anterior cord syndrome or central cord syndrome. However, posterior cord syndrome is not typically associated with hyperflexion. Therefore, it is the option that is not included in hyperflexion.

The absence of sensory or motor function below the level of the lesion is not an indirect lesion. This means that there is no loss of sensation or movement in areas of the body that are located below the site of the injury. Indirect lesions typically refer to conditions that affect the spinal cord, such as impingement, dislocation, compression, or contusion. Concussion, although not specifically mentioned as an indirect lesion, can also be considered as it refers to a temporary loss of brain function due to a head injury.

The given answer suggests that in an incomplete cervical lesion, a small amount of the centrally located sacral trunk is spared. This means that despite the lesion, there is still some preservation of sensation in the saddle area. This is in contrast to a complete cervical lesion where there would be no sacral sparing and loss of sensation in the saddle area. Therefore, sacral sparing is considered a sign of an incomplete cervical lesion.