dermatome distribution (lower limb)
Last reviewed 01/2018
The lower limb dermatomes are the areas of skin on the lower limb that are supplied by the afferent fibres of a single spinal posterior nerve root.
An approximate guide is as follows:
ROOT AREA SUPPLIED
- L2 upper thigh
- L3 around the knees
- L4 medial aspect of the leg
- L5 lateral aspect of the leg, medial side of the dorsum of the foot
- S1 lateral aspect of the foot, the heel and most of the sole
- S2 posterior aspect of the thigh
- S3, S4, S5 concentric rings around the anus, the outermost of which is S3
Click here for an image of dermatomes