Question

Which signals will get interrupted in case of a spinal cord injury?

Answer 1

Hint: The spinal cord is the main pathway that helps in information transmission from brain to peripheral nervous system. Signals arising or being passed through the spinal cord shall be interrupted in case the spinal cord is injured.

Complete answer:
The brain and the spinal cord are composed of the central nervous system. The spinal cord is connected to the brain through the brain stem and rests in the vertebral column.
Motor nerves and sensory nerves are the two types of nerves. Both types of nerves pass through the spinal cord in order to relay signals from various parts of the body to and from them. Apart from these there are reflex actions which are also coordinated by the spinal cord alone. The reflex actions result in the formation of reflex arcs.
Sensory nerves or neurons carry signals from the muscles and organs to the brain. Motor nerves or neurons take the signals from the brain to the muscles and organs.
So, all the signals in the body are coordinated by the spinal cord and brain while the reflexes can be controlled independently by the spinal cord.

Thus, in case of an injury to the spinal cord, motor signals, sensory signals as well as reflexes can be affected and interrupted in the body.

Note: Nerve fibres exiting the brainstem and spinal cord become part of the peripheral nervous system. Nerves carrying signals to the spinal cord are called afferent whereas nerves taking signals from the spinal cord are called efferent.