Johnny was in a freak traumatic accident where he suffered b

Johnny was in a freak traumatic accident where he suffered bilateral transection of the spinal cord at C7. Discuss the impact of this injury on the sensory and motor branches of the nervous system.

Solution

An injury at C7 will affect motor nerves which will affect wrist, elbow and triceps movement, without affecting the shoulders. A cranial injury at C7-C8 causes quadriplegia, where all limbs lose function. There is only some movement in the wrists, elbows and shoulders. There\'ll be loss of bowel and bladder control and breathing difficulties. There is loss of sensory function below the chest, including both tactile and thermal stimulus. Sexual dysfunction is also present.