🧠 SPINAL CORD SYNDROMES
Can You Localize the Lesion?
Mastering spinal cord syndromes is one of the fastest ways to localize neurological lesions in exams, OSCEs, and clinical practice.
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1️⃣ Anterior Cord Syndrome 🔴
➊ Bilateral motor weakness below the lesion
➋ Loss of pain & temperature sensation
➌ Vibration and proprioception preserved
💡 Think: “Motor Out, Pain & Temp Out”
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2️⃣ Brown-Séquard Syndrome 🔵
➊ Ipsilateral weakness + loss of vibration/proprioception
➋ Contralateral loss of pain & temperature
💡 Think: “Half & Half Syndrome”
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3️⃣ Central Cord Syndrome 🟡
➊ Upper limbs affected more than lower limbs
➋ Bilateral pain & temperature loss
➌ Dorsal column functions preserved
💡 Think: “Cape Sign”
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4️⃣ Posterior Cord Syndrome 🟢
➊ Loss of vibration, proprioception & fine touch
➋ Motor function preserved
➌ Sensory ataxia and positive Romberg sign
💡 Think: “Position Sense Lost”
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🎯 Golden Rule
✅ Dorsal columns cross in the medulla
✅ Spinothalamic fibers cross within 1–2 segments of entry
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📚 Quick Mnemonic
🔴 A = Anterior → Motor + Pain + Temp OUT
🔵 B = Brown-Séquard → Half & Half
🟡 C = Central → Cape Sign
🟢 P = Posterior → Proprioception Lost
