What characterizes central cord syndrome?

Central cord syndrome is characterized by a specific pattern of motor function loss, primarily affecting the upper extremities more than the lower extremities. This imbalance arises because the central part of the spinal cord, where the upper extremity nerves are located, is more severely damaged than the parts affecting the lower extremities.

In this syndrome, patients often present with weakness in the arms that is greater than in the legs, along with preservation of sacral sensation, which means that sensory function in the lower regions (particularly the perineal area) often remains intact. This specific distribution of symptoms is crucial for diagnosing central cord syndrome and differentiating it from other forms of spinal cord injury.

The other options describe different conditions or patterns of neurological involvement. For instance, in some conditions, motor weakness is more pronounced in the lower extremities, or there may be greater sensory loss without the characteristic sparing seen in central cord syndrome. The unique feature of upper extremity weakness coupled with preserved sacral sensation is what distinctly identifies this condition.