Interactive Parts of the Spine & Vertebrae Sections
Vertebrae are numbered and named according to where they are located in the spinal cord. The spine is divided into four regions which contain vertebrae: the cervical, the thoracic, the lumbar, and the sacral. Hover over each part to see what they do.
Vertebrae Connections & Functions
Sometimes referred to as our body’s “information highway,” our spine and each vertebrae section is connected to different nerves and body parts, and each vertebrae section is related to different physical ailments.
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C1 – C7 Cervical Vertebrae
What Does The C1 Vertebrae Control?
- Blood supply to the head
- Pituitary gland
- Scalp
- Bones of the face
- Brain
- Inner and middle ear
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Eyes
- Ears
C1 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
An injury that occurs in the C-1 to C-3 area results in limited movement of the head and neck, with paralysis below that region. In many cases, survivors of C-1 to C-3 injuries have difficulty talking, and require the use of a ventilator to breathe.
- Headaches
- Migraines
- High blood
- Chronic tiredness
- Dizziness
- Paralysis due to irregular circulation in brain
What does the C2 Vertebrae Control?
- Eyes
- Optic nerves
- Auditory nerves
- Sinuses
- Mastoid bones
- Tongue
- Forehead
- Heart
C2 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
An injury that occurs in the C-1 to C-3 area results in limited movement of the head and neck, with paralysis below that region. In many cases, survivors of C-1 to C-3 injuries have difficulty talking, and require the use of a ventilator to breathe.
- Sinus problems
- Eye trouble
- Deafness
- Ear pains
What does the C3 Vertebrae Control?
- Cheeks
- Outer ear
- Face
- Bones
- Teeth
- Trifacial nerve
- Lungs
C3 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
Survivors with C-3 to C-4 injuries have head and neck movement, as well as some limited shoulder movement. They are typically able to talk, and can eventually adjust to breathing without a ventilator.
- Pain in face nerves
- Spots
- Acne
- Tinnitus
- Toothache
- Bad teeth
- Plaque
- Bleeding gums
- Neuralgia
What does the C4 Vertebrae Control?
- Nose
- Lips
- Mouth
- Eustachian tube
- Mucus membranes
- Lungs
C4 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
Survivors with C-3 to C-4 injuries have head and neck movement, as well as some limited shoulder movement. They are typically able to talk, and can eventually adjust to breathing without a ventilator.
- Constant cold
- Loss of hearing
- Chapped lips
- Cramped lip muscles
- Adenoids
- Catarrh
What does the C5 Vertebrae Control?
- Vocal cords
- Neck glands
- Pharynx
C5 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
People with C5 tetraplegia can flex their elbows and with the help of assistive devices to help them hold objects, they can learn to feed and groom themselves. With some help they can dress their upper body and change positions in bed. They can use a power wheelchair equipped with hand controls and some may be able use a manual wheelchair with grip attachments for a short distance on level ground.
People with C5 will need to rely on caregivers for transfers from bed to chair and so forth, and for assistance with bladder and bowel management, as well as with bathing and dressing the lower body. Adaptive technology can help these people be independent in many areas, including driving. People with C5 tetraplegia can drive a vehicle equipped with hand controls.
- Hoarseness
- Sore throat
- Chronic cold
- Laryngitis
What does the C6 Vertebrae Control?
- Neck muscles
- Shoulders
- Tonsils
C6 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
People with C6 tetraplegia have the use both of the elbow and the wrist and with assistive support can grasp objects. Some people with C6 learn to transfer independently with the help of a slide board. Some can also handle bladder and bowel management with assistive devices, although this can be difficult.
People with C6 can learn to feed, groom, and bath themselves with the help of assistance devices. They can operate a manual wheelchair with grip attachments and they can drive specially adapted vehicles. Most people with C6 will need some assistance from a caregiver at times.
- Tonsillitis
- Croup
- Stiff neck
- Upper arm pains
- Whooping cough
- Goiter
What does the C7 Vertebrae Control?
- Thyroid gland
- Bursa in the shoulders
- Elbows
C7 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
People with C7 tetraplegia can extend the elbow, which allows them greater freedom of movement. People with C7 can live independently. They can learn to feed and bath themselves and to dress the upper body. They can move in bed by themselves and transfer by themselves. They can operate a manual wheelchair, but will need help negotiating curbs. They can drive specially-equipped vehicles. They can write, type, answer phones, and use computers; some may need assistive devices to do so, while others will not.
- Diseases of the thyroid gland
- Colds
- Bursitis in the shoulder or elbow
- Depression
- Fear
What does the C8 Vertebrae Control?
- Thyroid gland
- Bursa in the shoulders
- Elbows
C8 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
People with C8 tetraplegia can flex their fingers, allowing them a better grip on objects. They can learn to feed, groom, dress, and bath themselves without help. They can manage bladder and bowel care and transfer by themselves. They can use a manual wheelchair and type, write, answer the phone and use the computer. They can drive vehicles adapted with hand controls.
T1 – T7 Thoracic Vertebrae
What does the T1 Vertebrae Control?
- Arms from the elbows down
- Including hands
- Arms
- Wrists and fingers
- Esophagus
- Trachea
- Heart
T1 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
This level is also sometimes called C-8. Survivors with an injury at this level can expect to have the use of the head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. It is quite possible for survivors with spinal cord injuries at this level to live independently.
- Shoulder pains
- Neck cramps
- Lower arm/hand pains
- Ligament inflammations
- Furry feeling in fingers
What does the T2 Vertebrae Control?
- Heart, including valves and covering coronary arteries
- Lungs and bronchial tubes
T2 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
Survivors with T-2 to T-6 injuries have normal function in the upper body, but have some degree of impairment in the legs. In some cases, survivors with this level of injury are able to walk with assistive devices.
- Heart trouble
- Disruption in rhythm
- Fears
- Chest pain
What does the T3 Vertebrae Control?
- Lungs
- Bronchial tubes
- Pleura
- Chest
- Breast
- Heart
T3 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
- Bronchitis
- Influenza
- Pleurisy
- Pneumonia
- Cough
- Breathing difficulties
- Asthma
- Disruption in chest region
What does the T4 Vertebrae Control?
- Gallbladder
- Common duct
- Heart
- Lungs
- Bronchial tubes
T4 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
- Trouble in gallbladder
- Gall stones
- Jaundice
- Headaches on one side (from the gallbladder meridian)
What does the T5 Vertebrae Control?
- Liver
- Solar plexus
- Circulation (general)
- Heart
- Esophagus
- Stomach
T5 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
- Disruptions in liver
- Low blood
- Anemia
- Fatigue
- Shingles
- Circulatory weakness
- Arthritis
What does the T6 Vertebrae Control?
- Stomach
- Esophagus
- Peritoneum
- Liver
- Duodenum
T6 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
- Stomach and digestion problems
- Heartburn
- Diabetes
What does the T7 Vertebrae Control?
- Kidneys
- Appendix
- Testes
- Ovaries
- Uterus
- Adrenal cortex
- Spleen
- Pancreas
- Large intestine
T7 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
Survivors with this level of injury experience a similar result to survivors with T-2 to T-6 level injuries. In other words, there is normal upper body function but some level of impairment in the legs. Generally speaking, survivors with injuries in the T-7 to T-12 region have more control in their legs than survivors who sustain injuries higher up in the thoracic level.
- Duodenal ulcers
- Stomach complaints
- Hiccups
- Possible lack of vitamins
- Feelings of weakness
What does the T8 Vertebrae Control?
- Spleen
- Stomach
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Gallbladder
- Adrenal cortex
- Small intestine
- Pyloric valve
T9 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
- Spleen problems
- Weakness in immune system
What does the T9 Vertebrae Control?
- Adrenal cortex
- Pancreas
- Spleen
- Gallbladder
- Ovaries
- Uterus
- Small intestine
T9 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
- Allergies
- Nettle rash
What does the T10 Vertebrae Control?
- Kidneys
- Appendix
- Testes
- Ovaries
- Uterus
- Adrenal cortex
- Spleen
- Pancreas
- Large intestine
T10 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
- Kidney problems
- Retaining of salt
- Chalked-up arteries
- Chronic tiredness
What does the T11 Vertebrae Control?
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Large intestine
- Urinary bladder
- Adrenal medulla
- Adrenal cortex
- Uterus, ovaries
- Ileocecal valve
T11 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
- Skin diseases like acne
- Spots
- Eczema
- Boils
- Raw skin
- Psoriasis
What does the T12 Vertebrae Control?
- Small intestine
- Lymph circulation
- Large intestine
- Urinary bladder
- Uterus, kidneys
- Ileocecal valve
T12 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
- Problems with small intestine
- Wind
- Rheumatism
- Disruption in growth
- Infertility
- Erectile dysfunction
L1 – L5 Lumbo Sacral Vertebrae
What does the L1 Vertebrae Control?
- Large intestine
- Inguinal rings
- Uterus
L1 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
Survivors with L-1 to L-5 injuries experience increased motor movement in the hips and knees. At this level, walking can be possible with the right assistive devices.
- Problems with large intestine,
- Disruption in circulation in intestine,
- Blockages, diarrhea, etc.
- Constipation
What does the L2 Vertebrae Control?
- Appendix
- Abdomen
- Upper leg
- Urinary bladder
L2 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
- Problems with appendix
- Stomach cramps
- Hyper acidity
- Varicose veins
What does the L3 Vertebrae Control?
- Sex organs
- Uterus
- Bladder
- Knee
- Prostate
- Large intestine
L3 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
- Problems during pregnancy
- Menstruation pains
- Menopause problems
- Bladder pain
- Knee aches – often together with the bladder
- Impotence
- Bed-wetting
What does the L4 Vertebrae Control?
- Prostate gland
- Muscles of the lower back
- Sciatic nerve
L4 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
- Sciatica
- Lumbago
- Prostate trouble
- Painful or too frequent urination
What does the L5 Vertebrae Control?
- Lower legs
- Ankles
- Feet
- Prostate
L5 Vertebrae Pain & Symptoms
- Circulation problems in leg and feet
- Cold feet
- Cramps in the calves
- Swelling of feet and legs
Sacrum
What does the Sacrum Control?
- Hip bones
- Buttocks
- Rectum
- Sex organs
- Genitalia
- Urinary bladder
- Ureter
- Prostate
Sacrum Pain & Symptoms
Injuries to the sacral region of the spine can result in impairment and sensory loss in the leg and hip area, and also cause decreased control of bowel and bladder function and sexual function.
- Sciatica
- Abdominal problems
- Chronic constipation
- Pains in legs and feet
Sacral Plexus
What does the Sacral Plexus Control?
- Forms the sciatic as well as other nerves that go to muscles
- Joints and other structures of the legs
- Knees
- Ankles
- Feet
- Toes
Sacrum Pain & Symptoms
Injuries to the sacral region of the spine can result in impairment and sensory loss in the leg and hip area, and also cause decreased control of bowel and bladder function and sexual function.
- Sciatica
- Abdominal problems
- Chronic constipation
- Pains in legs and feet
Coccyx
What does the CoccyxControl?
- Rectum
- Anus
CoccyxPain & Symptoms
- Hemorrhoids
- Itching of the anus
- Pain while sitting
