You've just heard that someone's spinal cord has been injured at L2 (lumbar nerve 2). Given what you've learned in this chapter, which of the following will likely be true?
A) The person will be totally paralyzed from the neck down.
B) The person will be totally paralyzed from just below the arms.
C) Depending on how severe the injury, the person may be unable to move or feel anything from around the waist down.
D) Depending on how severe the injury, the person may be unable to move or feel anything from around the chest down.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lumbar nerves control movement and sensation in the lower limbs, so a spinal cord injury at L2 would likely result in the person being unable to move or feel anything from around the waist down. It is unlikely that the person would be totally paralyzed from the neck down (A) or just below the arms (B), as these areas are controlled by higher cervical nerves. The injury is also not likely to affect sensation or movement in the chest area (D).

You've Just Heard That Someone's Spinal Cord Has Been Injured