Final answer:
B) Loss of all motor and sensory function Anterior cord syndrome is consistent with the loss of motor function combined with the loss of pain and temperature sensation below the level of the injury due to damage to the anterior part of the spinal cord, which does not affect touch and proprioceptive sensations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anterior Cord Syndrome and Motor FunctionThe 17-year-old man who was thrown off a horse and presents with potential spinal cord injury may exhibit signs of anterior cord syndrome if he experiences a loss of motor function combined with a loss of pain and temperature sensation. This is because the anterior part of the spinal cord, which houses the motor tracts and pathways for pain and temperature sensation, could be compromised. Anterior cord syndrome is specifically characterized by the loss of motor function below the level of the injury along with the loss of pain and temperature sensation, whereas touch and proprioceptive sensations are preserved because they travel in the dorsal columns, which remain unaffected in this condition.
While isolated motor function loss or upper greater than lower motor weakness might suggest dorsal or lateral spinal cord damage respectively, or distinguish between an upper and lower motor neuron injury, these are not consistent with anterior cord syndrome. Instead, anterior cord syndrome involves an impairment of both motor function and pain/temperature sensation due to the affected area of the spinal cord. Understanding the distinction between these syndromes helps in localizing the site of injury and determining the appropriate course of treatment.