In thoracic spinal cord injury at T6 level, which of the following is a characteristic feature of the neurological syndrome expected?

• A Loss of sphincter control with upper motor neuron bladder but flaccid paralysis of the legs
• B Flaccid paraplegia with absent lower limb reflexes — lower motor neuron pattern
• C Incomplete syndrome with ipsilateral motor loss and contralateral pain/temperature loss (Brown–Séquard)
• D Spastic paraplegia below T6, UMN bladder (reflex neurogenic bladder), intact upper limb function, and absent abdominal reflexes below T6 ✓

Explanation

Transection at T6 produces complete spastic (UMN) paraplegia below T6 — spasm, increased tone, hyperreflexia, and extensor plantar response. Upper limb function is fully intact (cervicobrachial nerves above T6). The UMN bladder (reflex neurogenic/spastic bladder) retains detrusor reflex arc through the sacral cord but loses voluntary control; the patient voids reflexly at low volumes. Abdominal reflexes are absent below the lesion level. Flaccid (LMN) paralysis occurs only with conus medullaris or cauda equina lesions.

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.