Final answer:
Transection of the cord refers to the complete severing of the spinal cord, leading to paralysis and sensory loss below the level of injury. Hemisection is a partial severing affecting one side of the body. Identifying the injury's exact location is vital and can guide treatment and rehabilitation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Transection of the Cord
Transection of the cord, specifically referring to the spinal cord, occurs when the spinal cord is completely severed. Damage to the spinal cord can lead to paralysis, with the extent being contingent on where the transection occurs. For instance, a complete transection would result in paraplegia, which is the loss of voluntary motor control of the lower body and loss of sensation below the point of injury.
Hemisection is a condition where only half of the spinal cord is damaged and can result in hemiplegia, meaning paralysis on one side of the body. After a transection, the regions below the level of damage cannot communicate with the brain, leading to disrupted motor and sensory functions. Accurate localization of spinal cord injuries is crucial, and can be determined through sensory discrimination tests or imaging technologies such as MRI or CT scans.
In the context of childbirth, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, separating the newborn from the placenta. This has no direct relation to spinal transection but shows another use of the term 'cord' in medical contexts. Treatments for spinal cord injuries are being researched, including the use of stem cell transplants and methods to reduce inflammation.