lower limb dermatomes

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