What are the vertebrae?
The rings of bone that make up the spinal column are known as vertebrae. The vertebrae are named according to their location and are called the Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar and Sacral vertebrae. The seven vertebrae in the neck are the Cervical Vertebrae. Spinal cord injury to these vertebrae usually causes a loss of function to the arms and legs, thereby resulting in quadriplegia. The twelve vertebrae in the chest are called the Thoracic Vertebrae. Injuries in the thoracic region usually affect the chest and the legs and result in paraplegia. The vertebrae in the lower back are known as the Lumbar Vertebrae. Damage to one of these five vertebra will result in loss of control of the legs, bladder, bowel and sexual functions. The Sacral Vertebrae are the five vertebrae that run from the pelvis to the end of the spinal column. Injury to this region generally results in some loss of functioning in the legs and difficulty with bowel, bladder and sexual control.
