Spine Analysis: Structure, Functions, and Trauma Impacts
The spinal cord, a vital link between the brain and the body, exhibits some notable differences between males and females. A recent study reveals that the total length of the spinal cord is significantly shorter in females compared to males, with an average length of approximately 39.7 cm in females and 42.2 cm in males. This difference is primarily observed in the thoracic region of the spinal cord, where females typically have a shorter length, while the cervical, lumbar, and sacral spinal cord lengths show no significant differences [1][3].
The spinal cord is safeguarded by three protective layers collectively known as the meninges: the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. The dura mater, the toughest outer layer, provides robust protection against mechanical injury and forms a durable sac enclosing the spinal cord. The arachnoid mater, the middle layer, is a web-like structure that cushions the spinal cord and separates the dura mater from the pia mater. It also encloses the subarachnoid space filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The pia mater, the innermost layer, adheres closely to the spinal cord's surface, supplying it with blood vessels and nutrients [2][4].
These protective layers play a crucial role in safeguarding the spinal cord from physical damage, cushioning it against shocks, supporting its structure, and preventing infection. The cerebrospinal fluid within the subarachnoid space acts as a further buffer and circulates nutrients and waste [2][4].
The spinal cord is divided into three main regions: the cervical (neck), thoracic (chest), and lumbar (lower back) regions. Each region has a different number of bones: seven in the cervical column, 12 in the thoracic column, and five in the lumbar column. The spinal cord usually stops in the top parts of the lumbar spine, typically at the first or second lumbar vertebrae in adults, and slightly lower in children [5].
Spinal cord injuries can occur due to various reasons, such as vehicle accidents, gunshot wounds, and damage while playing sports. These injuries can lead to permanent changes in a person's functioning. In some cases, surgical procedures and the passing of time can help reduce some of the effects of a spinal cord injury [6].
There are two main types of spinal cord injury: complete and incomplete. A complete spinal cord injury causes a complete loss of sensation and motor function below the level of the injury, while an incomplete injury allows some function to persist [7].
The spinal cord is a complex structure consisting of gray matter and white matter. The gray matter, a dark, butterfly-shaped region, is made up of nerve cell bodies, while the white matter, which surrounds the gray matter, contains cells coated in myelin, facilitating faster nerve transmission [8].
References:
[1] Blauw, G. J., & Knott, W. A. (2018). Human Anatomy for Students: An Evolutionary Approach. Elsevier.
[2] Kandel, E. R., Schwartz, J. H., & Jessel, T. M. (2000). Principles of Neural Science (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
[3] Rohlf, F. J., & Slater, J. (2005). Human Anatomy Through Case Studies. Elsevier.
[4] Walsh, C. M., & Coyne, R. (2011). Human Neuroanatomy: A Text-Atlas of Structural Neuroanatomy. Oxford University Press.
[5] Wilkinson, S. B. (2010). Human Anatomy and Physiology (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.
[6] American Academy of Neurological Surgeons. (2021). Spinal Cord Injury. Retrieved from
[7] National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. (2021). Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures. Retrieved from
[8] Purves, D., Augustine, G. J., Fitzpatrick, D., Hall, W. C., & LaMantia, A. T. (2008). Neuroscience (4th ed.). Sinauer Associates.
- The spinal cord's protective layers, including the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater, are vital for safeguarding the brain's vital link to the body from physical damage, shocks, mechanical injury, and infections.
- The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the subarachnoid space acts as a further buffer, circulating necessary nutrients and waste in the spinal cord.
- The spinal cord, which varies in length between males and females, is divided into three main regions: the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions, each containing a different number of bones.
- Injuries to the spinal cord can be caused by various factors, such as accidents, gunshot wounds, or sports-related accidents, leading to permanent changes in an individual's functioning.
- Surgical procedures and time can help mitigate some of the effects of a spinal cord injury, but the recovery process may differ from person to person.
- A complete spinal cord injury results in a complete loss of sensation and motor function below the level of the injury, while an incomplete injury allows some function to persist.
- The spinal cord, a complex structure, is composed of gray matter and white matter. Gray matter consists of nerve cell bodies, while white matter contains cells coated in myelin, facilitating faster nerve transmission.
- Spinal cord injuries and neurological disorders have a significant impact on workplace-wellness, medical-conditions, health-and-wellness, mental-health, and fitness-and-exercise, emphasizing the role of science in developing effective therapies and treatments.
- CBD (cannabidiol), a compound from the cannabis plant, has been explored as a potential treatment for various injuries and neurological disorders, including spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Factors such as gender, age, and overall health play a crucial role in determining the outcomes of spinal cord injuries and recovery processes.
- Skin-care, nutrition, and mental-health management are essential aspects of a comprehensive approach to managing MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) and other mental health conditions in individuals with spinal cord injuries.
- The advancements in science, especially the field of neurology, have paved the way for current and future therapies, treatments, and fitness-and-exercise programs designed to improve the health-and-wellness of people living with spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders.
