New York State Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) Practice Exam

What is the expected outcome if the spinal cord is severed above the fifth cervical vertebra?

1. Paralysis in upper extremities only.

2. No paralysis.

3. Paralysis in all extremities.

4. Paralysis in lower extremities only.

The correct answer is: Paralysis in all extremities.

Severing the spinal cord above the fifth cervical vertebra typically results in paralysis in all extremities, known as quadriplegia or tetraplegia. The reason for this is that the nerves controlling movement and sensation to the arms, legs, and trunk originate in the cervical region. When the spinal cord is damaged at this level or higher, signals from the brain cannot reach the body parts below the injury site, leading to a loss of function in both the upper and lower extremities. Damage at this level can also affect respiratory function due to the involvement of the phrenic nerve, which is responsible for diaphragm movement and is often affected by spinal injuries above C5. Therefore, individuals with a spinal cord injury above this level may not only experience paralysis but could also face significant respiratory challenges, underscoring the severity of such an injury. In contrast, the other options discuss various scenarios of paralysis that would not align with the physiological consequences of an injury at or above the C5 level.