Dermatomes

When doctors are trying to diagnose a nerve problem, they find it useful to think of what nerve or part of the spinal cord may be involved in the problem. If your leg doesn't work as it should, for instance, your doctor may look at the nerve or nerves that send nerve information from your leg. On the other hand, the doctor might decide your leg problem is linked to a certain part of your spinal cord. When that's the case, the area affected may involve a dermatome - a spinal nerve tied to that area of your leg.