SPINAL NERVES

 31 pairs of spinal nerves that originate from the spinal cord.

 Thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves leave the vertebral canal by passing through the
intervertebral foramina formed by adjacent vertebrae. They are named and grouped
according to the vertebrae with which they are associated.
 8 cervical
 12 thoracic
 5 lumbar
 5 sacral
 1 coccygeal
Cervical Nerves: -
 The cervical nerves consist of eight paired nerves that are a part of the peripheral
nervous system. They emerge from the spinal cord through the seven cervical
vertebrae. The cervical vertebrae are the spinal bones located just below the
skull.
 Although there are only seven cervical vertebrae, there are eight nerves because
the first pair leaves the vertebral canal between the occipital bone and the atlas
(first cervical vertebra) and the eighth pair leaves below the last cervical
vertebra.
Functions: -
 C1, C2, and C3 (the first three cervical nerves) help control the head and neck,
including movements forward, backward, and to the sides.
 C4 helps control upward shoulder movements.
 C5 helps control the deltoids
 C6 helps control the wrist extensors.
 C7 helps control the triceps.
 C8 helps control the hands, such as finger flexion (handgrip).

Thoracic Nerves: -
 The thoracic nerves are 12 pairs and the first 11 are the intercostal nerves.
 They pass between the ribs supplying them, the intercostal muscles and overlying
skin.
 The 12th pair comprises the subcostal nerves.
  The 7th–12th thoracic nerves also supply the muscles and the skin of the posterior
and anterior abdominal walls.
Functions: -
 T1 and T2 (top two thoracic nerves) feed into nerves that go into the top of the chest as
well as into the arm and hand.
 T3, T4, and T5 feed into the chest wall and aid in breathing.
 T6, T7, and T8 can feed into the chest and/or down into the abdomen.
 T9, T10, T11, and T12 can feed into the abdomen and/or lower in the back.

Lumbar Nerves: -
 The lumbar nerves are five spinal nerves which arise from either side of
the spinal cord below the thoracic spinal cord and above the sacral spinal cord.
 They arise from the spinal cord between each pair of lumbar spinal vertebrae and
travel through the intervertebral foramina.
Functions: -
 L1 spinal nerve provides sensation to the groin and genital regions and may contribute
to the movement of the hip muscles.
 L2, L3, and L4 spinal nerves provide sensation to the front part of the thigh and inner
side of the lower leg. These nerves also control movements of the hip and knee muscles.
 L5 spinal nerve provides sensation to the outer side of the lower leg, the upper part of
the foot, and the web-space between the first and second toe. The L5 spinal nerve
controls hip, knee, foot, and toe movements.
Sacral Nerves: -
 The sacral plexus is a network of nerve fibers that supplies the skin and muscles
of the pelvis and lower limb.
Functions: -
 S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 sacral nerves are responsible for the constriction of urinary
bladder and stimulates erection of genitals of men and women.
Coccygeal: -
 The nerves supply the skin around the coccyx and anal area.