The spinal cord is one of the core lifelines of the human body that serves a variety of functions. When you suffer an injury in this vital area, it can have a tremendous impact on your life. But what is the spinal cord exactly? It can be a little complicated to understand whether this part of the body is an organ.
1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that can connect you with the legal assistance you need after a spinal cord injury caused by someone else’s negligent acts. In this article, we explore the functions of the spinal cord, whether it’s considered an organ, potential injuries, and what you can do if you sustain a spinal cord injury in an accident.
Introduction to Spinal Cord Functions
The column of nerve tissues that run from the base of your skull down your back is known as the spinal cord. It sends nerve signals throughout the body to control voluntary movement, manage your reflexes, and process sensations. It’s also responsible for directing your involuntary functions, including breathing and heartbeat.
Despite being shrouded in three layers of membranes and protective vertebrae, the spinal cord is vulnerable to injury. If you’re in an accident and sustain an injury to your spinal cord, it could impact your ability to move or breathe.
Is the Spinal Cord an Organ?
Understanding whether the spinal cord is an organ or not requires understanding the definition of an organ. Organs are tissues or collections of cells that carry out specialized functions. Since the spinal cord performs the functions outlined above, it is considered an organ.
The collected nerves that comprise the spinal cord transmit messages from the brain to the rest of the body. They work together to support the body, making them as much of an organ as other vital parts of the body.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries from car accidents and other personal injuries can be devastating for victims. The types of spinal cord injuries are classified as complete or incomplete. A complete spinal cord injury means that nerve communication is completely lost from the point below the injury site. An incomplete spinal cord injury means that this organ can still send messages from the brain, allowing for some feeling, function, and muscle control below the impact site.
Loss of feeling can cause either full or partial paralysis. It will depend on the extent of the injury as well as its location along the spinal column. Spinal cord injury symptoms include loss of movement or sensation, loss of bowel or bladder control, spasms, changes to sexual function, pain, and trouble breathing.
Spinal cord injuries are common in serious car accidents, catastrophic truck crashes, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and even in slip and fall cases.
How 1-800-Injured Can Help
The severity of your spinal cord injury can affect the rest of your life. You may no longer be able to perform your job in your former capacity or complete daily tasks on your own. If you have a complete spinal cord injury, you may experience quadriplegia or paraplegia.
If this injury is a direct result of someone else’s negligent behaviors, you can seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. You should not be left to suffer in pain or have to readapt to life while being stuck with the costly expenses that come with an injury of this nature.
1-800-Injured can connect you with attorneys who can provide the support you need in the aftermath of your spinal cord injury. A lawyer can evaluate your case to determine the extent of your medical expenses, including your long-term care needs, surgeries, hospital stay, medications, and assistive devices.
Compensation may also include your lost wages and lost earning capacity. Whether your injury will have temporary or lasting impacts, you can recover the income you’ve lost.
In addition to these economic damages, you can recover intangible damages—known as noneconomic damages. These can include mental anguish, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life. When another person or entity causes you harm, contact 1-800-Injured to take the next steps to recover what you deserve.