Cervical (The Neck)
Vertebrae C1-C7
There are seven vertebrae and eight pairs of spinal nerves in the neck. The nerves in this region are responsible for enabling breathing, providing movement and controlling feeling in the head, neck, shoulders, arms and hands.
Complete Tetraplegia
Complete tetraplegia happens when the spinal cord in the cervical region is damaged, and is the most extreme form of paralysis, causing loss of function and sensation to the arms, body and legs. Tetraplegia is categorised by which vertebra in the cervical region has been damaged. For example, if the third vertebra is the site of the injury, it will be referred to as C3 tetraplegia.
The Effects of Complete Tetraplegia
The severity of the paralysis is determined by which part of the cord has been completely damaged. The higher the injury, the more severe the loss of function and sensation to the arms, body and legs. The effect on the body is determined by the type of tetraplegia caused by the injury.
C1
- Complete paralysis of arms, body and legs
- Severely limited movement of the head and neck
- Aided breathing
- Buildup of waste in windpipe, assistance required with coughing
- Loss of bowel and bladder functionality
C2
- Complete paralysis of arms, body and legs
- Severely limited movement of the head and neck
- Aided breathing
- Buildup of waste in windpipe, assistance required with coughing
- Loss of bowel and bladder functionality
C3
- Complete paralysis of arms, body and legs
- Severely limited movement of the head and neck
- Possible need for aided breathing
- Buildup of waste in windpipe, assistance required with coughing
- Loss of bowel and bladder functionality
C4
- Complete paralysis of body and legs but with limited arm function
- Possible limited movement of the head and neck
- Might be able to breathe without assistance
- Buildup of waste in windpipe, assistance required with coughing
- Loss of bowel and bladder functionality
C5
- Complete paralysis of body and legs but with limited arm function
- Ability to move the head and neck
- Ability to move shoulders
- Ability to breathe without assistance
- Buildup of waste in windpipe, assistance required with coughing
- Loss of bowel and bladder functionality
C6
- Complete paralysis of body and legs but with limited arm function
- Ability to move the head and neck
- Ability to move shoulders
- Ability to lift hands
- Ability to breathe without assistance
- Possible buildup of waste in windpipe, assistance required with coughing
- Loss of bowel and bladder functionality
C7
- Complete paralysis of body and legs but with limited arm function
- Ability to move the head and neck
- Ability to move shoulders
- Ability to lift hands
- Ability to breathe without assistance
- Possible buildup of waste in windpipe, assistance required with coughing
- Loss of bowel and bladder functionality
- Partial finger movement, grip and mobility
- May be capable of transferring body independently
C8
- Complete paralysis of body and legs but with limited arm function
- Ability to move the head and neck
- Ability to move shoulders
- Ability to lift hands
- Ability to breathe without assistance
- Possible buildup of waste in the windpipe, assistance required with coughing
- Loss of bowel and bladder functionality
- Ability to bend and straighten elbows
- Partial finger movement, grip and mobility
- May be capable of transferring body independently
