Lower Limb Spinal Dermatomes

[lee-usmle]

Yes they do ask about and to have a general outline will help a lot in the exam

Here's a quick tip

Just remember L2-L3 for anterior hip
and shift (with overlap) the numbers single segment for the next joint, so anterior knee will be L3-L4 and anterior ankle will be L4-L5

For the posterior innervation it's same as anterior but with downward shift (without overlap)
So posterior hip is L4-L5, posterior knee L5-S1, posterior ankle S1-S2

[docspike]

Awesome tip!Thank u Lee..

[jessp687]

I thought there was an overlap for the posterior side where can I clarify this, to me in the kaplan dvd's the guy says there is an overlap

[lee-usmle]

Originally Posted by jessp687

I thought there was an overlap for the posterior side where can I clarify this, to me in the kaplan dvd's the guy says there is an overlap

I didn't say there's no overlap
Posterior Knee L5 S1
Posterior Ankle S1 S2

What I meant by the shift, is the shift in relation to the relevant anterior segments
Anterior Knee L3 L4
Posterior Knee L5 S1

[lemontea88]

To add on that, remember First Aid's mnemonic!

L4 down on all FOURS (knee).
L1 is IL (inverted = inguinal ligament)