Dermatomes Flashcards
Neuralgia
Pain of the nerve.
Recurrent paroxysmal excruciating pain along nerve.
Has “trigger zone” (area that causes attack when stimulated). Usually area of skin supplied by the nerve.
Commonly trigeminal and intercostal nerves (and phrenic, lumbar, brachial and sciatic).
Neuritis
Inflammation of the nerve
Mainly the sheath and CT are affected (but not the axon)
Constant dull pain.
Can lead to paresthesia/dyesthesia
Intercostal neuralgia
Affects intercostal nerves that travel between internal and innermost intercostal muscles.
What virus causes shingles?
Varicella-zoster. /herpes zoster
What nerves are affected by shingles?
Dormant in sensory ganglia of cranial and spinal nerves.
Spreads along spinal and peripheral nerves.
Demyelination and degeneration.
Neuroma
Tumour composed of nerve cells.
After damage to peripheral nerve, regenerating fibres can grow randomly, and as a clumped mass (because they can’t penetrate scar tissue).
Paroxysmal
Intermittent.
Dermatome: C1-2
Top of head
Dermatome: C2
Side of head, above ears
Dermatome: C3
Side of neck
Dermatome: C4
Shoulder
Dermatome: C5
Upper Lateral arm
Dermatome: C6
Lateral arm
Dermatome: C7
Arm, middle hand
Dermatome: C8
Medial hand, arm
