SPINAL NERVES

Question 1

Somatic general sensory symptoms

Answer 1

neuralgia - pain
paraethesia - pins and needles
anaesthesia - numbness
hyperasthesia - sensitivity
temperature perceptions
Loss of coordination, balance, clumsiness

Question 2

somatic motor symptoms

Answer 2

muscle stiffness
tightness or spasms
muscle floppiness/looseness (reduced tone or hypotonia)
muscular weakness (reduced power)
loss of coordination/balance/clumsiness (eg: ataxia)

Question 3

what is a dermatome and what is its clinical relevance

Answer 3

area of the skin supplied by the single spinal nerve root
used to test for sensory function

Question 4

what is a myotome and what is its clinical relevance

Answer 4

group of muscles supplied by a single spinal nerve root
used to test for motor function

Question 5

clinical relevance of SC reflexes

Answer 5

to test sensory and motor functions simultaneously

Question 6

Formation of spinal nerves

Answer 6

rootlets emerge anteriorly and posteriorly from either side of the SC segment
rootlets join to form anterior and posterior spinal nerve roots (dorsal and ventral roots)
Dorsal and ventral roots join to form the spinal nerve at the IV foramen
Spinal nerve then devides into the anterior and posterior rami

Question 7

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: C1

Answer 7

none

Question 8

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: C2

Answer 8

back of scalp and Adams apple

Question 9

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: C3

Answer 9

back of neck and jugular notch

Question 10

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: C4

Answer 10

clavicle and shoulder tip

Question 11

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: C5

Answer 11

outer part of the upper arm to about the elbow
“badge patch”

Question 12

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: C6

Answer 12

thumb

Question 13

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: C7

Answer 13

middle finger

Question 14

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: C8

Answer 14

little finger

Question 15

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: T1

Answer 15

medial forearm

Question 16

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: T2

Answer 16

medial arm and sternal angle

Question 17

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: T4

Answer 17

nipple

Question 18

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: T8

Answer 18

xiphoid process

Question 19

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: T10

Answer 19

umbilicus

Question 20

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: T12

Answer 20

pubic symphysis

Question 21

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: L1

Answer 21

groin area

Question 22

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: L2

Answer 22

anterior thigh

Question 23

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: L3

Answer 23

anterior knee

Question 24

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: L4

Answer 24

medial malleolus

Question 25

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: L4

Answer 25

dorsum of the foot

Question 26

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: S1

Answer 26

heel

Question 27

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: S2

Answer 27

posterior knee

Question 28

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: S3

Answer 28

buttocks

Question 29

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: S4

Answer 29

perineum

Question 30

Examining spinal nerve dermatomes: S5

Answer 30

perineal skin

Question 31

Sensory examination: Face

Answer 31

Question 32

testing dermatome sensory function: components involved and the pathway

Answer 32

stimulation of the dermatome (eg T10) –> stimulate the receptors in the T10 region –> generates action potential (AP) –> AP passes centrally along the same axons within the anterior rami –> to the SN T10 in this case –> to the posterior root –> to posterior rootlets –> dorsal horn –> ascending pathway to the brain