It is surrounded by the cerebrospinal fluid which acts as its cushion. It consists of millions of nerve fibers which transmit nerve impulses as well as information from the periphery to the brain and vice versa. The nerves within the spinal cord are grouped together depending on which tract they carry information – descending or ascending.

In a spinal cord diagram, the relationship between the spinal nerves and vertebrae can be shown. There are a total of 31 pairs of spinal nerves which branch off from the spinal cord. The spinal nerves which leave the spinal cord are numbered according to the vertebra at which they exit. However, the level of the spinal cord segments does not necessarily correspond to the level of the vertebra.

The spinal cord diagram may also be a projection of the nerve pathways. It has already been mentioned above that the spinal cord is divided into specific segments which functions are specific, too. These pathways may be the supply sensation of the skin or may be just the channels between transmitted impulses.

However, whenever a person sustains massive trauma to the head or neck, spinal cord injury is usually suspected until proven otherwise and measures to prevent further damage are instituted. If faced with this case, a spinal cord diagram is used to show how a broken vertebra may press on the spinal cord. The level of the spinal cord injury refers to the closest vertebra. When the spinal cord is injured, the ability of the brain to communicate with the other parts of the body is hampered and functions may be reduced or lost altogether. With a spinal cord diagram, you may see that the higher the level of affectation, the greater area of the body involved, the more serious the problem is. However, it is usually recommended that more diagnostic procedures be done to secure the severity of the problem. These procedures include X-ray imaging (may show bones but not the spinal cord), CT scans and MRIs.

In cases of congenital anomalies, the spinal cord diagram is also usable. In spina bifida, sometimes the back looks fairly normal. However, there are some signs in the skin which may mean that there is something wrong with their spinal cord. This may include hemangiomas (collection of blood vessels appearing as a red spot on the skin), dimpling, and a tuft of skin. With a tethered cord, a curved spine or scoliosis can be observed. This may be accompanied by stiff legs and a decrease in the activity of the child. Tethered cord causes damage to the spinal cord as the child moves or grows. Because of this, the blood vessels are stretched and the blood flow is reduced. With this, the spinal cord may not be receiving what it needs, and may cause it to be permanently damaged.