Dermatomes Body Map – The term “dermatome” is a combination of 2 Ancient Greek words; “derma” suggesting “skin”, and “tome”, suggesting “cutting” or “thin section”. It is a location of skin which is innervated by the posterior (dorsal) root of a single spine nerve. As posterior roots are organized in sections, dermatomes are also. This is why the term “dermatome” describes the segmental innervation of the skin.
Dermatome Anatomy Wikipedia – Dermatome anatomy Wikipedia
Surrounding dermatomes often, if not constantly overlap to some degree with each other, as the sensory peripheral branches representing one posterior root typically surpass the limit of their dermatome. The thin lines seen in the dermatome maps are more of a scientific guide than a real border. Dermatomes Body Map
This implies that if a single spine nerve is affected, there is most likely still some degree of innervation to that segment of skin originating from above and below. For a dermatome to be entirely numb, usually 2 or 3 surrounding posterior roots require to be affected. 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 area chart is described as a dermatome map. Dermatomes Body Map
Dermatome maps
Dermatome maps illustrate the sensory circulation of each dermatome throughout the body. Clinicians can examine cutaneous feeling with a dermatome map as a method to localize lesions within main worried tissue, injury to particular spine nerves, and to determine the extent of the injury. A number of dermatome maps have been developed for many years however are often clashing.
The most frequently used dermatome maps in significant books are the Keegan and Garrett map (1948) which leans towards a developmental interpretation of this principle, and the Foerster map (1933) which correlates much better with medical practice. This short article will review the dermatomes utilizing both maps, identifying and comparing the significant distinctions between them.
Why Are Dermatomes Important?
To comprehend dermatomes, it is necessary to comprehend the anatomy of the spine. The spinal column is divided into 31 segments, each with a set (right and left) of posterior and anterior nerve roots. The kinds of nerves in the posterior and anterior roots are different.
Anterior nerve roots are responsible for motor signals to the body, and posterior nerve roots get sensory signals like pain or other sensory signs. The anterior and posterior nerve roots integrate on each side to form the spine nerves as they exit the vertebral canal (the bones of the spinal column, or backbone).