Lecture Notes: Spine and Spinal Cord Overview

Introduction

• First video in a series about the spine and spinal cord.
• Spine Structure: Includes vertebrae, spinal cord, and spinal nerves.
  • Spinal nerves branch out from the spinal cord.
  • Cranial nerves come directly from the brain.
• Function: Brain sends signals through these nerves to control movements and receive sensory information.
• Lecturer has a personal interest due to their own spinal cord injury.

Overview of the Human Nervous System

The Brain

• Central hub for signal processing.
• Controls body movements and receives sensory inputs.
• Related videos available on the brain.

The Spinal Cord

• Connects brain to rest of the body.
• Divided into five main regions:
  • Cervical
  • Thoracic
  • Lumbar
  • Sacral
  • Coccygeal

Cervical Region

• Location: Top section of the spinal cord.
• Nerves: 8 cervical nerves (C1-C8).
• Function:
  • Controls neck, diaphragm, and some arm/hand movements.
  • Brachial plexus: network of nerves for arm movement.
  • Injury Impact: Loss of function below injury site.
• Autonomic Role: No autonomic functions.

Thoracic Region

• Location: Below cervical region.
• Nerves: 12 thoracic nerves (T1-T12).
• Function:
  • Controls intercostal muscles (breathing) and trunk muscles.
  • Autonomic Role: Sympathetic stimulation (stress response).

Lumbar Region

• Location: Lower back.
• Nerves: 5 lumbar nerves (L1-L5).
• Function:
  • Forms the lumbar plexus.
  • Controls hips, legs, and feet.
  • Autonomic Role: Part of sympathetic stimulation.

Sacral Region

• Location: Below lumbar region.
• Nerves: 5 sacral nerves (S1-S5).
• Function:
  • Forms the sacral plexus.
  • Controls lower body movements.
  • Autonomic Role:
    • Parasympathetic stimulation of the bladder and reproductive organs.

Coccygeal Region

• Location: Base of the spine.
• Nerve: 1 coccygeal nerve.
• Function: Tailbone sensation.

Spinal Cord Injury

• Impact: Loss of function below the injury site.
• Reflexes: Typically still function below injury.
• Personal Note: Lecturer has a lumbar region injury.

Review and Recap

• Five Regions: Cervical (8), Thoracic (12), Lumbar (5), Sacral (5), Coccygeal (1).
• Plexuses: Brachial, lumbar, and sacral plexuses.
• Key Functions: Detailed functions and autonomic roles.

Study Tip

• Practice naming regions, nerves, and functions from memory.
• Diagrams available to aid learning.

Series Information

• This is the first video; more to come on related topics.
• Other available videos cover brain and nervous system topics.