Neck Dermatome Mapdermatomes Diagram Spinal Nerves And Locations

Neck Dermatome Mapdermatomes Diagram Spinal Nerves And LocationsThe term “dermatome” is a mix of two Ancient Greek words; “derma” suggesting “skin”, and “tome”, implying “cutting” or “thin sector”. It is an area of skin which is innervated by the posterior (dorsal) root of a single spine nerve. As posterior roots are arranged in sectors, dermatomes are as well. This is why the term “dermatome” describes the segmental innervation of the skin.

Neck Dermatome Mapdermatomes Diagram Spinal Nerves And Locations

Dermatomes Diagram Spinal Nerves And Locations – Dermatomes Diagram Spinal Nerves And Locations

Neighboring dermatomes typically, if not constantly overlap to some degree with each other, as the sensory peripheral branches corresponding to one posterior root typically surpass the limit of their dermatome. As such, the thin lines seen in the dermatome maps are more of a medical guide than a real limit. Neck Dermatome Mapdermatomes Diagram Spinal Nerves And Locations

This means that if a single spine nerve is impacted, there is likely still some degree of innervation to that section of skin originating from above and listed below. For a dermatome to be entirely numb, usually two or 3 neighboring posterior roots need to be impacted. In addition, it’s important to note that dermatomes undergo a big degree of interindividual variation. A visual representation of all the dermatomes on a body surface chart is referred to as a dermatome map. Neck Dermatome Mapdermatomes Diagram Spinal Nerves And Locations

Dermatome maps

Dermatome maps illustrate the sensory circulation of each dermatome throughout the body. Clinicians can assess cutaneous feeling with a dermatome map as a way to localize sores within central nervous tissue, injury to specific back nerves, and to identify the degree of the injury. Several dermatome maps have actually been established throughout the years but are typically contrasting.

The most typically utilized dermatome maps in significant textbooks are the Keegan and Garrett map (1948) which leans towards a developmental interpretation of this concept, and the Foerster map (1933) which associates better with medical practice. This article will review the dermatomes using both maps, determining and comparing the significant differences in between them.

Why Are Dermatomes Important?

To comprehend dermatomes, it is important to comprehend the anatomy of the spine. The spine is divided into 31 segments, each with a set (right and left) of anterior and posterior nerve roots. The kinds 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 integrate on each side to form the spine nerves as they exit the vertebral canal (the bones of the spine, or backbone).