I’m curious about something.How can a quadriplegic person still have a working digestive, bowel system & ect?
July 3rd, 2009 | 
Author: I’m just curious to know how a completely paralyzed person can still have good functioning digestive, and bowel system? details are appreciated. thanks everyone! :)
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very good question. I agree it is counter-intuitive that function would be preserved. The bowels, bladder etc are innervated by the autonomic nervous system. Depending on the level of the injury and the extent (did it cut straight through), various degrees of bowel and bladder function will be preserved or lost. Like the CNS, messages travel from the brain down the spinal cord to the various organs. Some quadriplegics have intact bowel and bladder function; others with a high level full cord injury have almost none. Look up a diagram of the ans (autonomic nervous system) and you will see at what level the nerves for each organ, stomach, intestine, bladder etc. exit the spinal column.
food has to go somewhere
bowels dont work that well with a QUAD
usually a rectal suppository and digital extraction is needed every few days