Spinal Cord Function and Anatomy: Basic Information from Tampa Automobile Accidents Attorney Dale Appell, P.A.

When you need an attorney to represent you in a spinal cord injury case, it is advisable to choose an attorney who has represented cases like yours and understands your condition. Tampa automobile accidents attorney Dale Appell, P.A. has worked with numerous spinal cord injury patients, and during his tenure he has gained personal knowledge about how these injuries affect his clients and their families.

To understand the many potential complications of a spinal cord injury and how they will be presented in your personal injury case, it helps to learn the basics of spinal cord anatomy. The spinal cord is a complex system of nerves, blood vessels, fluids, and chemicals. Every part of your body depends on the spinal cord to send signals to and from the brain; any interruption in these signals can have a widespread impact.

Your spinal cord is a soft column of nerves, about the thickness of your thumb, protected by 33 bones called vertebrae. Each vertebra has a circular opening that holds the spinal cord in place and protects it from harm. The vertebrae are lined up, allowing the spinal cord to run through them, from the top of your neck to your lower back. The typical spinal cord is about 15-17 inches long, depending on your height.

The spinal cord is organized into sections which are named with letters and numbers, such as "C5" or "L2." These letter-number combinations correspond to the following:

• C1-C8—from the upper neck to the shoulders, this part of the spinal cord controls the head, neck, breathing, upper arms, wrists, hands, and diaphragm
• T1-T12—from the shoulders to the waist, this part of the spinal cord controls the chest, abdominal muscles, certain back muscles, and portions of the abdomen
• L1-L5—from the waist to the hips; this part of the spinal cord controls the lower abdomen and back, some leg muscles, buttocks, and parts of the reproductive system
• S1-S5—near the tailbone; this part of the spinal cord controls bathroom functions, external reproductive organs, lower leg muscles, and the feet

A spinal cord injury in one area will affect that area and all sections below it. For example, an injury at T-3 will result in paralysis and/or loss of feeling from the torso to the feet. A spinal cord injury may also result in other complications such as chronic pain, heart problems, infections, and other issues caused by abnormal signals traveling from the body to the brain.

Those who have suffered a spinal cord injury due to an auto accident or other negligence deserve justice as well as compensation to pay for their medical care and lost wages. If your car accident occurred in Florida, please contact Tampa automobile accidents attorney Dale Appell, P.A. for a free assessment of your case. From our Tampa, Florida main office, we work with clients across West Central Florida including Clearwater, St Petersburg, Apollo Beach, Bradenton, Brandon, Carrollwood, Citrus, Temple Terrace, Thonotosassa, Sun City Center, and beyond.