There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves.
These nerves originate from the spinal cord and extend to various parts of the body, facilitating sensory and motor functions. Each pair of spinal nerves exits the vertebral column through an intervertebral foramen (an opening between adjacent vertebrae).
Here's a breakdown of the spinal nerve pairs by region:
- Cervical: 8 pairs (C1-C8) - control muscles and sensation in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.
- Thoracic: 12 pairs (T1-T12) - control muscles and sensation in the chest, upper abdomen, and back.
- Lumbar: 5 pairs (L1-L5) - control muscles and sensation in the lower abdomen, hips, and legs.
- Sacral: 5 pairs (S1-S5) - control muscles and sensation in the lower legs, feet, and pelvic region.
- Coccygeal: 1 pair (Co1) - supplies sensation to the skin over the coccyx (tailbone).
Therefore, the total number of spinal nerve pairs is 8 + 12 + 5 + 5 + 1 = 31.
