The spinal cord contains the nerves that carry messages between your brain and body. The cord passes through your neck and back. A spinal cord injury is very serious because it can cause loss of movement (paralysis) below the site of the injury.

Neck injury

• Bullet or stab wound
• Traumatic injury to the face, neck, head, chest, or back (for example, a car accident)
• Diving accident
• Electric shock
• Extreme twisting of the middle of the body
• Landing on the head during a sports injury
• Fall from a great height

Images

Vertebral column

Spinal anatomy

Spinal cord injury

Vertebra, thoracic (mid back)

Vertebra, lumbar (low back)

Central nervous system

Bones of the spine

Vertebra, cervical (neck)

Next Section

Spinal injury Symptoms

Review Date: 05/02/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)