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Related Concept Videos

Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology01:14

Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology

Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...
Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy01:15

Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy

The spinal cord resides within the protective confines of the vertebral column. It is the main pathway for information traveling between the brain and the body. It plays a fundamental role in nearly all bodily functions, from simple reflexes to complex motor movements. The spinal cord begins at the medulla oblongata at the base of the brainstem and extends downward, terminating at the conus medullaris near the first and second lumbar vertebrae. The spinal cord's length in adults is...
The Spinal Cord01:54

The Spinal Cord

The spinal cord is the body’s major nerve tract of the central nervous system, communicating afferent sensory information from the periphery to the brain and efferent motor information from the brain to the body. The human spinal cord extends from the hole at the base of the skull, or foramen magnum, to the level of the first or second lumbar vertebra.
Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy01:16

Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy

The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology01:25

Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology

Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction01:29

Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction

Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...

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Establishing a Mouse Contusion Spinal Cord Injury Model Based on a Minimally Invasive Technique
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Spinal cord abnormalities in sports.

Mark R Proctor1, R Michael Scott

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. mark.proctor@childrens.harvard.edu

Clinics in Sports Medicine
|June 5, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Many spinal abnormalities affect athletes, but not all require neurosurgical referral. Clinically significant lesions like Chiari malformations or spinal tumors necessitate intervention, while common variants do not increase injury risk.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sports Medicine
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Spinal abnormalities can impact athletic participation.
  • Distinguishing clinically relevant lesions from incidental findings is a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide guidance on managing spinal abnormalities in athletes.
  • To differentiate between significant lesions and normal variants.

Main Methods:

  • Consensus-based recommendations.
  • Correlation of clinical experience with imaging findings.

Main Results:

  • Chiari malformation, syringomyelia, spinal cysts, tethered cord, and tumors warrant neurosurgical referral.
  • Tonsillar ectopia and small central canal dilatations are common variants and do not increase injury risk.

Conclusions:

  • Not all spinal abnormalities contraindicate athletic participation.
  • Careful evaluation is needed to determine clinical significance and guide return-to-play decisions.