N434: Mobility
questions and
answers 2025-
2026
What is the #1 cause of spinal cord injury?
trauma
What are the functions of the spinal cord?
control body movement
process sensory information from extremities, trunk, organs
regulate organ function
transmit info from and to brain
What does the spinal cord stretch from?
foramen magnum to lumbar (L1)
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
7
Which cervical spine do we need to worry about respiratory?
C3-C5
- innervate phrenic nerve (diaphragm)
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5 (L1-L5)
, How many sacral vertebrae are there?
5 fused
Who is most at risk for a spinal cord injury?
young males
16-30
- perform risky behaviors
What occurs with a C4 injury?
tetraplegia
- paralysis below the neck
What occurs with C6 injury?
partial paralysis of hands and arms/lower body
What occurs with T6 injury?
paraplegia
- below chest
What occurs with L1 injury?
paraplegia
- below waist
Which set of vertebrae are most common for injury? Why?
cervical and lumbar
- increased flexibility
Order of vertebrae
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, coccyx
Complete injury
all innervation below level of injury is LOST
Incomplete injury
allow for some function and movement below level of injury
Is complete or incomplete injury more common?
Incomplete
Primary mechanism of injury: Hyperflexion
head moves forward
- read ended, dive
Primary mechanism of injury: Hyperextension
questions and
answers 2025-
2026
What is the #1 cause of spinal cord injury?
trauma
What are the functions of the spinal cord?
control body movement
process sensory information from extremities, trunk, organs
regulate organ function
transmit info from and to brain
What does the spinal cord stretch from?
foramen magnum to lumbar (L1)
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
7
Which cervical spine do we need to worry about respiratory?
C3-C5
- innervate phrenic nerve (diaphragm)
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5 (L1-L5)
, How many sacral vertebrae are there?
5 fused
Who is most at risk for a spinal cord injury?
young males
16-30
- perform risky behaviors
What occurs with a C4 injury?
tetraplegia
- paralysis below the neck
What occurs with C6 injury?
partial paralysis of hands and arms/lower body
What occurs with T6 injury?
paraplegia
- below chest
What occurs with L1 injury?
paraplegia
- below waist
Which set of vertebrae are most common for injury? Why?
cervical and lumbar
- increased flexibility
Order of vertebrae
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, coccyx
Complete injury
all innervation below level of injury is LOST
Incomplete injury
allow for some function and movement below level of injury
Is complete or incomplete injury more common?
Incomplete
Primary mechanism of injury: Hyperflexion
head moves forward
- read ended, dive
Primary mechanism of injury: Hyperextension
