Clinically relevant anatomy of spinal nerves Flashcards
What is contained within the anterior horn of the spinal cord?
Motor cell bodies
Somatic general sensory symptoms
Neuralgia Paraesthesia Anaesthesia Hyperaesthesia Thermal Ataxia
Somatic motor symptoms
Muscle stiffness, tightness or spasm
Reduced tone or hypotonia
Reduced power
Ataxia
Common upper limb and trunk dermatomes
C2 - back of scalp and adams apple C3 - back of neck and jugular notch C4 - clavicle and shoulder tip C5 - regimental badge area C6 - thumb C7 - middle finger C8 - little finger T1 - middle forearm T2 - medial arm and sternal angle T4 - nipple T10- umbilicus T12 - pubic symphysis
Common lower limb dermatomes
L1 - groin L2 - anterior thigh L3 - anterior knee L4 - medial malleolus L5 - dorsum of foot S1 - heel S2 - posterior knee S3 - buttock S4 - perineum S5 - perianal skin
What does dermatomal testing allow you to check the integrity of?
Dorsal rootlets
Dorsal roots
Spinal nerve
What does a dermatomal and myotomal indicate a problem with?
Spinal nerve
Do posterior rami form plexuses?
No - anterior rami
Do T2-T12 form a plexus?
No - they form the intercostal nerves to supply the anterolateral trunk wall and the subcostal nerve
Cervical plexus
Little, Goats, Tread, Softly Lesser occipital nerve Greater auricular nerve Transverse cervical nerve Supraclavicular nerve
Where does the lesser occipital nerve supply?
Skin posterior to the external ear
Where does the great auricular nerve supply?
Skin over angle of mandible and external ear
Where does the transverse cervical nerve supply?
Skin over anterior neck
Where does the supraclavicular nerve supply?
Skin over the clavicle and shoulder tip
What is the nerve point of the neck?
Where sensory nerves of the cervical plexus converge to pass from superficial to deep fascia
Found at the midpoint of the posterior border of the SCM
