Chapter 34, Head and Spine Trauma, PARAMEDIC

In this chapter you will learn about injury to the central nervous system. The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and the spinal cord, both of which are encased in and protected by bone. The brain, located within the cranial cavity, is the largest component of the CNS. It contains billions of neurons that serve a variety of vital functions. An understanding of the form and function of spinal anatomy and a high index of suspicion for spinal cord injury is essential to good patient care with this type of traumatic injury.