Dermatome Map Facedermatome Map Of Head By Annie Campbell University Of Du Flickr – The term “dermatome” is a combination of two Ancient Greek words; “derma” suggesting “skin”, and “tome”, suggesting “cutting” or “thin section”. It is an area of skin which is innervated by the posterior (dorsal) root of a single spine nerve. As posterior roots are organized in sections, dermatomes are. This is why the term “dermatome” refers to the segmental innervation of the skin.
Facial Dermatome Map Dermatome Map – Facial Dermatome Map Dermatome Map
Neighboring dermatomes often, if not always overlap to some degree with each other, as the sensory peripheral branches representing one posterior root usually exceed the limit of their dermatome. The thin lines seen in the dermatome maps are more of a clinical guide than a genuine boundary. Dermatome Map Facedermatome Map Of Head By Annie Campbell University Of Du Flickr
This means that if a single spine nerve is affected, there is most likely still some degree of innervation to that section of skin originating from above and below. For a dermatome to be totally numb, typically 2 or 3 neighboring posterior roots need to be impacted. In addition, it’s essential to keep in mind that dermatomes go through a large degree of interindividual variation. A graphical representation of all the dermatomes on a body surface chart is described as a dermatome map. Dermatome Map Facedermatome Map Of Head By Annie Campbell University Of Du Flickr
Dermatome maps
Dermatome maps depict the sensory circulation of each dermatome throughout the body. Clinicians can assess cutaneous experience with a dermatome map as a way to localize lesions within central worried tissue, injury to specific spine nerves, and to determine the degree of the injury. A number of dermatome maps have been developed throughout the years but are often conflicting.
The most typically utilized dermatome maps in major textbooks are the Keegan and Garrett map (1948) which leans towards a developmental analysis of this principle, and the Foerster map (1933) which associates better with scientific practice. This post will review the dermatomes utilizing both maps, recognizing and comparing the significant distinctions between them.
Why Are Dermatomes Important?
To comprehend dermatomes, it is necessary to comprehend the anatomy of the spinal column. The spinal column is divided into 31 sections, each with a pair (right and left) of posterior and anterior nerve roots. The types of nerves in the anterior and posterior roots are different.
Anterior nerve roots are responsible for motor signals to the body, and posterior nerve roots get sensory signals like discomfort or other sensory signs. The anterior and posterior nerve roots combine on each side to form the back nerves as they exit the vertebral canal (the bones of the spine, or backbone).