Dermatome Map
Dermatome Map - Related Videos
13:11
Sensory Exam
0 Views •
2023
Source:Tracey A. Milligan, MD; Tamara B. Kaplan, MD; Neurology, Brigham and Women's/Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA A complete sensory examination consists of testing primary sensory modalities as well as cortical sensory function. Primary sensory modalities include pain, temperature, light touch, vibration, and joint position sense. Sensation of the face is discussed in the videos Cranial Nerves Exam I and II, as are the special senses of smell, vision, taste, and...
04:45
Quantification of Filamentous Actin Puncta in Rat Cortical Neurons
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2025
This video demonstrates the procedure for fluorescently staining rat cortical neurons for microscopy. It targets F-actin and dendritic proteins to analyze structural integrity and calculate F-actin density, which is crucial for studying neuronal function and health.
06:44
Demonstration of Cutaneous Allodynia in Association with Chronic Pelvic Pain
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Cited by 22 •
2009
A demonstration of the bedside test for cutaneous allodynia and its clinical implications.
10:13
Quantification of Filamentous Actin (F-actin) Puncta in Rat Cortical Neurons
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Cited by 8 •
2016
Filamentous actin (F-actin) plays an important role in spinogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and synaptic stability. Quantification of F-actin puncta is therefore a useful tool to study the integrity of synaptic structures. This protocol describes the procedures of quantifying F-actin puncta labeled with Phalloidin in low-density primary cortical neuronal cultures.
07:00
Novel Surgical Rodent Model for Studying Neuroma Pain Treatment Options using Targeted Muscle Reinnervation Through the Saphenous Nerve
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2025
This protocol presents a reproducible rat model using sensory nerves to mimic human neuroma pain and assess surgical treatments, offering a valuable tool for translational neuroma research.
FAQs
Neighboring dermatomes overlap because each mapped skin region is supplied primarily, rather than exclusively, by sensory fibers from one spinal nerve root. Anatomical patterns can also vary between individuals. Consequently, clinicians interpret sensory changes as regional patterns instead of relying on a sharply defined border, which helps prevent overlocalization during neurological assessment.
The map translates the segmental organization of spinal nerves into a surface examination pattern. When altered sensation follows a recognizable segmental distribution, clinicians can relate that finding to possible nerve-root dysfunction. This relationship supports localization of abnormalities within the nervous system and contributes to assessment of conditions such as radiculopathy.
Sensory patterns corresponding to mapped regions may be consistent with nerve-root dysfunction, spinal cord lesions, or herpes zoster. The map does not replace the examination; rather, it provides a framework for comparing the location of altered sensation with spinal nerve organization. That comparison can guide diagnostic reasoning and subsequent monitoring.
Clinicians compare sensation across mapped skin regions while testing modalities such as light touch, pinprick, or temperature. They look for changes that form a segmental pattern and relate those findings to the relevant spinal nerve organization. Repeating the comparison over time can help document whether sensory abnormalities remain stable, improve, or change.
Light touch, pinprick, and temperature provide different ways to assess sensory change across a mapped region. Using these modalities allows the examination to characterize whether an abnormality is apparent with one testing approach or across several. Recording the findings by region supports a more complete neurological assessment and clearer comparison during follow-up.
A Dermatome Map is particularly useful when clinicians need to localize sensory changes during a neurological examination. It can support evaluation of suspected radiculopathy, spinal cord lesions, or herpes zoster, and it provides a consistent framework for documenting findings. Repeated mapping also helps monitor changes in sensory status during clinical follow-up.