1. areas of skin supplied by nerves from a single spinal root
Usage: medical
2. segments of the body wall in embryonic development that give rise to skin and associated structures
Usage: embryology

Examples

• The doctor mapped the patient’s dermatomes to locate the source of nerve damage.
• Each dermatome corresponds to a specific spinal nerve segment.
• Shingles typically affects one or more dermatomes on one side of the body.
• Medical students learn to identify dermatomes for neurological examinations.
• The dermatomes help physicians diagnose spinal cord injuries.
• During development, dermatomes migrate to form the outer layer of skin.