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.
Join Discussions