dermatome
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Introduction
The area of skin supplied by sensory fibers of a single dorsal nerve root. In the head & trunk each segment is horizontally disposed, except for C1 which has no sensory component. The dermatomes of the limbs from C5 to T1 & from L3 to S2, extend as a series of bands from the midline of the trunk posteriorly into the limbs. There is considerable overlap of adjacent dermatomes. As a result, no anesthesia occurs unless 2 or more adjacent dorsal roots have lost function. Additionally there is considerable variability among individuals.