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The L1 vertebra is the topmost section of the lumbar spinal column. What is the L1 Vertebra? What Are the Symptoms of an L1 Injury? Here’s a quick explanation of how the lumbar spinal cord fits in with your lower back anatomy, as well as potential symptoms of injuries do different parts of the lumbar spine. It may also harm the tip of the spinal cord known as the cauda equina, which is a bundle of spinal nerves and nerve roots that innervate the lower lumbar spine to the sacrum.
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Injuries below this level (at the 元, L4, and L5 vertebrae) affect the hips and legs and may cause numbness extending to the feet (sciatica). After that point, nerve roots exit each of the remaining lumbar levels beyond the spinal cord. L2 is the lowest vertebral segment that contains spinal cord tissue. It is also important to understand that the lumbar vertebrae are much different than the upper segments of the spine because the spinal cord does not extend the entire length of the lumbar spine. As is the case with other spinal cord injuries, the completeness of the spinal cord damage will determine how severe the injury and symptoms will be for the patient. Lumbar spinal cord injuries (SCIs) may be complete or incomplete and may affect one or both sides of the body. Damage to the lumbar spinal cord subsequently affects the hips and groin area, and may impact the lower abdominal muscles and thigh flexion as well. These lumbar vertebrae (or lumbar bones) contain spinal cord tissue and nerves which control communication between the brain and the legs. It consists of five vertebrae known as L1 - L5. The lumbar spine is located in the lower back below the cervical and thoracic sections of the spine. Early treatment is important to the prognosis. Injuries to the lumbar spine are severe but not life-threatening.
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