The spinal cord consists of nerves which transmit information from our brain to our muscles and organs allowing them to function. These responses may be voluntary or involuntary. The nerves also transmit information from our autonomic nervous system which most people think of as the system responsible for the “fight or flight” response. These messages cause changes in our heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, bowel, bladder, sexual function, and other bodily activities. In addition to the signals going away from our brain, there are also sensory messages transmitted from body structures back to the brain, such as sensations of light touch, pain, temperature, body position sense, fullness of the bladder and bowel, and sexual stimulation.
To help understand how our nerves and spinal cord work, think of them as electrical wires sending signals either to or from the brain. If there is an abnormality in the development of these structures, the affected individuals may have difficulty with movement, sensation, bowel, bladder and sexual function, as well as changes in blood pressure and heart rate. The more severe the spinal cord abnormalities are, the more serious the symptoms. Also, the parts of the spine that are involved determine which parts of the body are affected.
