A dermatome is an area of skin that is supplied by a single spinal sensory nerve. Sensory nerves are the nerves that transmit signals from several body parts to the spinal cord. There are 30 dermatomes in the body.
Before understanding the dermatome, it is crucial to know about the spinal nerves. Spinal nerves are part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The main function of PNS is to connect the rest of the body to the brain so that the brain can evaluate the inputs it receives.
The body has 31 pairs of spinal nerves and is named and grouped by the region of the spine they are associated with. The different groups of the spinal nerve include:
- Cervical nerves: Eight pairs of these cervical nerves originate from the neck and numbered C1 through C8.
- Thoracic nerves: 12 pairs of thoracic nerves originate from the part of the spine present in the torso and are numbered T1 through T12.
- Lumbar nerves: Five pairs of lumbar spinal nerves come from the part of the spine that makes up the lower back and are designated L1 through L5.
- Sacral nerve: Like the lumbar spinal nerves, there are also five pairs of sacral spinal nerves in the sacrum or pelvic bone.
- Coccygeal nerves: There is a single pair of coccygeal spinal nerves originating from the area of the coccyx or tailbone.
What is the importance of the dermatome?
Dermatome can be useful in diagnosing the following diseases:
- Herpes zoster (shingles): It is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The virus may remain dormant in the nerve roots, causing rash and pain along the corresponding dermatome.
- Lumbar radiculopathy: It refers to a condition where the spinal nerve root gets compressed. It leads to radiating back pain, weakness, and tingling extending down a dermatome.
- Spinal cord trauma: Dermatomes can be used to evaluate and diagnose the exact level of the spinal cord or nerve injury in patients who had an accident.
DermNet New Zealand. Dermatomes. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/dermatomes/
Top What Are Dermatomes? Related Articles
5 Things You Should Know About Herpes
Most people who have genital herpes have no symptoms or have very mild symptoms. Patients may not notice mild symptoms or may mistake them for another skin condition, such as a pimple or ingrown hair.Back Pain: Common Spine Problems
That stack of little bones along the center of your back has a key role to support and control your body. What happens when something's not right with your spine?16 Back Pain Truths and Myths
Back pain conditions are very common. Learn the causes of upper and lower back pain. Find the truth and get the facts behind back pain myths, remedies, causes and treatment.Back Pain Quiz
There are numerous causes of chronic lower back pain and only one ailment gets more complaints. What is it? Quiz your knowledge of symptoms, treatments, problems, and reasons for common back pain.Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Low Back Pain: 11 Stretches & Exercises for Relief
One of the best low back pain treatments is exercise. Whether your pain is in the lower left or lower right back, learn more about low back pain exercises--what works, and what doesn't. Discover severe low back pain relief through various gentle workouts designed to protect and strengthen the lumbar, core, and other related back muscle groups.Herpes Zoster Picture
Herpes zoster. Shingles is cause by herpes zoster which is a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV). VZV causes chicken pox and stays in your body for the rest of your life. When it reactivates, it results in a red rash that includes blisters and is generally painful and itches. Shingles can last days or even weeks and it can result in scarring and prolonged pain along the nerve affected. The rash usually dries out and becomes crusty. It can result in scarring and prolonged pain along the nerve affected.How Do I Know if My Back Pain Is Kidney Related?
The pain of kidney infection may be felt on the sides (flanks) and the back. Unlike the classical back pain due to muscle or bone involvement, which typically affects the lower back, kidney pain is felt higher up and at a greater depth.How Do I Know if My Upper Back Pain Is Serious?
If you have upper and middle back pain without any other symptoms, then probably you will be able to manage your symptoms at home. Your back pain may indicate a severe underlying medical condition if you have intense pain, numbness, tingling, fever, weight loss and other symptoms.Lower Back Pain (Lumbar Spine Pain)
There are many causes of back pain. Pain in the low back can relate to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of the pelvis, and abdomen, and the skin covering the lumbar area.Low Back Pain Relief
Do you suffer from low back pain? Learn more about common triggers of lower back pain like posture, exercise, and spondylosis. Find out about pain relief treatments like massage, yoga, stretching, exercises for back pain, and chiropractic medicine. See when surgery for back pain makes sense.Lumbar Lordosis
Lumbar lordosis or "swayback," lower back curvature), in children, adults, and women who are pregnant is an abnormal posture with a low back curve. Symptoms of lumbar lordosis in include lower back pain and discomfort, difficulty in moving certain directions due to back pain, and a large gap or arch between the lower back and a flat surface when you lay down.
Common causes of lumbar lordosis in children, adults, and during pregnancy include obesity, kyphosis, bad posture, genetics, and other disorders of the spine. Treatment for lumbar lordosis include exercise, weight loss, surgery, and pain medication. Lumbar lordosis can be reversed and cured; however, it depends on how severe the symptoms are. Lumbar lordosis treatments may help reduce pain and other symptoms or Mild lordosis in children may be cured without treatment, while severe lumbar lordosis needs surgery to fix. Lumbar lordosis can be reversed "cured" or go back to normal or near normal.Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the varicella zoster virus. Other shingles symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and body aches. Treatment focuses on pain management and shortening the duration of the illness with antiviral medications.Shingles Quiz
Shingles falls within a well-known family of viruses that cause itching, burning, blisters, and pain. Take the Shingles Quiz to get the facts, causes, symptoms, and treatments for this itchy, painful condition.What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Herpes?
Herpes is a type of infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It causes sores or blisters to form in or around the mouth or genitals.What Can I Do To Relieve Upper Back Pain?
Learn what medical treatments can help ease your upper back pain symptoms and help you manage this condition.What Could Be the Cause of Upper Back Pain?
There are many potential upper back pain causes. Learn about upper back pain, why upper back pain happens, and how upper back pain is treated.