Transcript Health Occupations Physical Therapy Specialty Module

Khaled Na3im
Dermatomal Supply of The Lower Limb
Khaled Na3im
Introduction
Definition of dermatome
Dermatome chart
Lower limb dermatomes
Dermatomes test
Purpose of dermatomes test
References
Skin (sensation) is innervated
by a single nerve roots called
the dermatomes
Nerve Roots branch out off
the spinal cord (31)

The nerve roots branch out 
to form a plexus which is a
network of intersecting
nerves which travel to
different parts of the body,
they are both motor and
sensory
Dermatomes
Dermatome is a skin area. Dermatomal
supply is the segmental sensory supply
of the skin . The specific areas on
the skin that represent sensory
innervations from a specific root
Level .
The word dermatome
refers to a
correspondence between
the skin and the nervous
system.
Sensory dermatome
maps-charts- used
to help localize the level
of neurologic deficit.
L1
L2
L3
S1
L4
S2
L5
Spinal Nerves Posterior View
(L1) hip and groinsuprapubic region-
(L2) Anterior superior
thigh, medial thigh
above knee
(L3) Back, anterior
thigh and medial knee
(L4) Lateral
thigh/knee, anterior
medial lower leg to
medial aspect of big
toe
(L5) Lateral knee and
lateral lower leg and
top of foot
(S1) Buttocks,
posterior lateral thigh
and lateral plantar
surface of foot
(S2) Buttocks,
posterior medial thigh
and medial plantar
surface of foot
Test for abnormalities in sensitivity by
using:
a paper clip
a pinwheel
finger nail
Purpose of dermatome test

To evaluation nerve
root damage.

Test for abnormalities
in sensitivity .
Note !
All tests should be compared bilaterally.
Nerves and nerve roots are typically injured by
compression or stretching forces.
When a nerve root is damaged a deficit may occur in
the corresponding limb.
The athlete should close his/her eyes and give the
therapist feedback with regards to various stimuli.
Lower dermatomes vid.
Dermatome comarision vid.
Clemente, C. 1997 Anatomy: A Regional Atlas of the
Human Body, 4th edition. Lippincogtt Williams &
Wilkins.
Rinabesm C,H, 1972. Cunningham’s Textbook of
Anatomy, 11th edition. Oxford University Press.
Rosse, C & Gaddum-Rosse, P. 1997. Hollinshead’s
Textbook of Anatomy 5th edition. Lippincott-Raven
Schuenke, M et al, 2006 Thieme Atlas of Anatomy:
Musculoskeletal System. Thieme.
Slaby, F., et al. 1994. Gross Anatomy in the Practice of
Medicine. Lea & Febiger.