What is true regarding spinal cord injuries?

The correct statement about spinal cord injuries is that the higher the injury, the greater the loss of function. This is primarily because the spinal cord is responsible for sending signals between the brain and the rest of the body. When an injury occurs higher up on the spinal cord, it can affect a larger area of the body and impair more functions.

For instance, an injury in the cervical region (the neck area) can lead to issues with both upper and lower body movement and sensation, potentially causing quadriplegia. In contrast, an injury in the lower regions of the spine, such as the lumbar or sacral areas, may only impact the legs and lower body, resulting in paraplegia. Thus, the location of the injury is crucial in determining the extent of functional loss.

Spinal cord injuries can affect various bodily functions, including motor skills, so the notion that they do not affect motor skills is inaccurate. Additionally, while some spinal cord injuries may lead to paralysis, it is not true that all result in paralysis; some may allow for varying degrees of movement or sensation depending on the extent and location of the injury.