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What level of spinal cord injury results in paralysis of the lower extremities?

1. C6

2. C7

3. T1-T12

4. L1-L5

The correct answer is: T1-T12

The level of spinal cord injury that results in paralysis of the lower extremities is most commonly associated with injuries at the T1-T12 levels. This area corresponds to the thoracic region of the spinal cord. An injury in this region can lead to paraplegia, which is characterized by the loss of function in the legs and lower part of the body while still retaining some function in the upper body and arms. Understanding spinal cord injuries involves recognizing the relationship between the location of the injury and the resulting physical capabilities or limitations. Injuries higher up the spinal column, such as those occurring in the cervical region (like C6 or C7), can result in tetraplegia (previously referred to as quadriplegia), affecting both the upper and lower limbs. In contrast, injuries that occur at T1-T12 do not impact the arms or hands but can significantly impair the trunk and lower limbs, leading to the specific paralysis of the lower extremities that is characteristic of paraplegia. Injuries at the lumbar region (L1-L5) may also affect the lower extremities, but they typically do not result in complete paralysis and might instead involve varying degrees of weakness or loss of function, including the ability to walk,