Few Terms Used In Spinal Injury

Impairment

Loss of motor and sensory function

Disability

Loss in daily life functioning

Tetraplegia or Quadriplegia

Loss of motor and/or sensory function in the cervical segments

Paraplegia

Loss of motor and/or sensory function in the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral segments

Dermatome

Area of skin innervated by sensory axons within each segment nerve

Myotome

Collection of muscle fibers by the motor axons within each segmental nerve

Neurologic level

The most caudal segment with normal sensory and motor function on both sides

Sensory level

The most caudal segment with normal sensory function on both sides

Motor level

The most caudal segment with normal motor function on both sides

Skeletal level

Radiographic level of greatest vertebral damage
Sensory score

Numerical summary value of sensory impairment

Motor score

Numerical summary value of motor impairment

Incomplete injury

Partial preservation of sensory and/or motor function below the neurologic level and sensory and/or motor preservation of the lowest sacral segment

Complete injury

Absence of sensory and motor function in the lowest sacral segment

Zone of partial preservation

Dermatomes and myotomes caudal to the neurologic level that remain partially innervated; only used in complete injuries

Source: Standards for neurological classification of spinal injury.

Related posts:

1. Understanding Spinal Injury – Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
2. Incomplete Patterns of Spinal Cord Injury
3. Spinal Cord Injury and Concept of Cure
4. What Is ASIA Impairment Scale
5. Spinal Injury – An Overview of Definitive Treatment