Final answer:
The level of injury of the spinal cord refers to the most affected segment of the cord with normal motor/sensory function. Sensory discrimination can help pinpoint the level of damage in the spinal cord.
Step-by-step explanation:
The level of injury of the spinal cord refers to the most affected segment of the cord with normal motor/sensory function. Sensory discrimination can help pinpoint the level of damage in the spinal cord. For instance, in a hemisection below a certain level, pain stimuli will be perceived on the damaged side but not fine touch. Conversely, on the other side, the opposite is true. Pain fibers on the side with motor function cross the midline in the spinal cord and ascend in the contralateral lateral column up to the hemisection. The dorsal column will be intact ipsilateral to the source on the intact side and reach the brain for conscious perception. The trauma would be at the level just before sensory discrimination returns to normal, helping to pinpoint the trauma.