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wrote...
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Posts: 3560
12 years ago
Where is the spinal cord injury in a quadriplegic who has difficulty breathing?
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wrote...
12 years ago
The spinal cord injury in an quadriplegic who has difficulty breathing is at or above the fifth cervical vertebrae(C5).I hope that helps.
wrote...
Educator
12 years ago
The phrenic nerve is the sole motor supply to the diaphragm, necessary for breathing. The phrenic nerve arises from C3—C5 of the cervical plexus. If the person who is a quadriplegic has breathing difficulties, the damaged area of the spinal cord must be inferior to C3, but above C5.
wrote...
11 years ago
A helpful mnemonic:
C3, C4, C5 keeps the diaphragm alive (phrenic nerve innervation).
If the phrenic nerve is undamaged, they may be able to use their diaphragm muscles to assist with breathing. However, they may be on an assisted ventilator, especially at night-time.
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