Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The anterior rami of the spinal nerves between the C4 and T2 innervate the skin of the upper limb

The area of skin supplied by one spinal nerve is known as dermatome. A knowledge of segmental innervation of the skin enables one to determine the level of injury to the spinal cord. It is also essential in the conduction and interpretation of the physical examination of a patient.
A lesion of a spinal nerve manifests itself as a motor or sensory disturbance along it's distribution.

Human Anatomy:Volume I: Upper Limb And Thorax, 2008

The T1 and T2 segments innervate the head and neck; T2 through T6 segments, the upper extremities and thoracic viscera

Basic neurosciences with clinical applications
By Eduardo E. Benarroch
, Elsevier Health Sciences, 2006