Cervical Injury Levels of the Spinal Cord
The cervical spine is located at the very top of the spinal column. The seven vertebral levels within this region, which are classified as C1-C7 from the top down, form the human neck. There is an additional cervical-level injury known as a C8 injury which relates to damage to the spinal cord root that exits the spinal column between vertebrae C7 and T1.
The spinal cord running through the cervical region of the spine is identified by the level of the vertebra in which it is contained.
High-Cervical Injury (C1-C4)
Most severe of the spinal cord injury levels
Paralysis in arms, hands, trunk and legs
May not be able to breathe on his or her own, cough, or control bowel or bladder movements
Ability to speak is sometimes impaired or reduced
When all four limbs are affected, this is called quadriplegia
Requires complete assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, bathing, and getting in or out of bed
May be able to use powered wheelchairs with special controls to move around on their own
Will not be able to drive a car on their own
Requires 24-hour-a-day personal care
Cervical Injury Levels of the Spinal Cord
The cervical spine is located at the very top of the spinal column. The seven vertebral levels within this region, which are classified as C1-C7 from the top down, form the human neck. There is an additional cervical-level injury known as a C8 injury which relates to damage to the spinal cord root that exits the spinal column between vertebrae C7 and T1.
The spinal cord running through the cervical region of the spine is identified by the level of the vertebra in which it is contained.
High-Cervical Injury (C1-C4)
Most severe of the spinal cord injury levels
Paralysis in arms, hands, trunk and legs
May not be able to breathe on his or her own, cough, or control bowel or bladder movements
Ability to speak is sometimes impaired or reduced
When all four limbs are affected, this is called quadriplegia
Requires complete assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, bathing, and getting in or out of bed
May be able to use powered wheelchairs with special controls to move around on their own
Will not be able to drive a car on their own
Requires 24-hour-a-day personal care
