Dermatome

An area of skin supplied with nerves by a pair of spinal nerve roots from the cervical (C2–C8), thoracic (T1–T12), lumbar (L1–L5), and sacral (S1–S5) regions. The entire body surface is an interlocking pattern of dermatomes, which is similar from one person to another. Abnormal sensation in a dermatome signifies damage to a particular nerve root, commonly due to a disc prolapse.

 

Online Medical Dictionary: Your essential reference to over 5000 medical terms.