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TOPOGRAPHIC OF SENSORIC DISTRIBUTION (DERMATOME, MYOTOME, SCLEROTOME)

1. DERMATOME

Source : Atlas of Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology Frank H. Netter

Clinical Neuroanatomy 25th edition
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NBSS – A1

The sensory component of each spinal nerve is distributed to a dermatome, a well-defined segmental portion of the skin
(Fig 5–8).

 The dermatomes for C5, C6, C7, C8, and T1 are confined to the arm, and the C4 and T2 dermatome are contiguous
over the anterior trunk.
 The thumb, middle finger, and fifth digit are within the C6, C7, and C8 dermatomes, respectively.
 The nipple is at the level of T4.
 The umbilicus is at the level of T10.

The territories of dermatomes tend to overlap, making it difficult to determine the absence of a single segmental
innervation on the basis of sensory testing (Fig 5–9).

Source : Atlas of Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology Frank H. Netter

Clinical Neuroanatomy 25th edition
ELKA RIFQAH
130110110148
NBSS – A1

2. MYOTOMES

The term myotome refers to the skeletal musculature innervated by motor axons in a given spinal root. Testing of motor
functions can be very useful in determining the extent of a lesion in the nerve, spinal cord segment, or tract, especially when
combined with a careful sensory examination. Most muscles, are innervated by motor axons that arise from several adjacent
spinal roots. Nevertheless, lesions of a single spinal root, in many cases, can cause weakness and atrophy of a muscle. Table
5–2 lists segment-pointer muscles, whose weakness or atrophy may suggest a lesion involving a single nerve root or a pair of
adjacent nerve roots.

Table 5–2. Segment-Pointer Muscles.

Root Muscle Primary Function

C3, C4 Diaphragm Respiration
C5 Deltoid Abduction of arm
C5 Biceps Flexion of forearm
C6 Brachioradialis Flexion of forearm
C7 Triceps Extension of forearm
L3, L4 Quadriceps femoris Extension of knee
L5 Extensor hallucis longus Dorsiflexion of great toe
S1 Gastrocnemius Plantar flexion
Modified, with permission, from Byrne TN, Waxman SG: Spinal Cord Compression. FA Davis, 1990.

3. SCLEROTOME

A sclerotome is a deep somatic track that is innervated by the same signal spinal nerve and when the tissue of a sclerotome
is irritated by mechanical or chemical stimuli pain is "experienced" as originating from all of the tissues that are innervated
by the same nerve, or along the sclerotome. Chart shows spinal levels C-1 through S-3.

Source : Atlas of Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology Frank H. Netter

Clinical Neuroanatomy 25th edition
ELKA RIFQAH
130110110148
NBSS – A1

Source : Atlas of Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology Frank H. Netter

Clinical Neuroanatomy 25th edition