Myotomes:

Sub-Orthopaedics
Name:Ananya Kashyap
Enrollment
ID:ADTU/2020-24/BPT/135
 What Are Myotomes?

• Defined as a group of muscles which is

innervated by single nerve root.
• They play a crucial role in movement and
sensation.
 Clinical Significance

• The knowledge of Myotomes is important for

diagnosis and treatment and rehabilitation of
various medical condition.
• They are used in exercises to improve muscles
strength, flexibility, and coordination.
 Myotome Distribution
C1 &C2 Flexion&extension of
the neck

C3 Lateral Flexion of the

neck

C4 Elevation of shoulder

C5 Abduction and Flexion

of arm at shoulder joint

C6 Elbow flexion and wrist

extension

C7 Elbow extension and

wrist flexion

C8 Thumb extension

T1 Fingers Abduction and

Adduction
L1-L2 Hip Flexion and
Extension

L3 Knee Extension

L4 Ankle Dorsiflexion

L5 Great Toe Extension

S1 Ankle Plantar Flexion

S2 Knee Flexion
 Testing
• Perform different movements which are associated with
different spinal nerves.

• The clinician performs the tests with resisted isometric

contraction.
• Muscles contraction should be held for at least
5seconds.
• The cervical and thoracic myotomes
(C1-T12) are tested with the patient in
a seated position.
• These are tested with movements of
the neck and upper limb through the
shoulder, elbow, wrist,
metacarpophalangeal,
and interphalangeal joints
• The Lumbar and Sacral myotomes (L1-S2) are
tested with the patient lying in supine.
• These are tested with movements of the hip, knee,
ankle, intertarsal, and metatarsophalangeal joints.
 Thank You

Reference:
•https://www.physio-pedia.com/Myotomes#:~:text=A%20myotome%20(greek%3
A%20myo%3D,neurological%20examination%20when%20suspecting%20radic
ulopathy
.
• https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/myotomes
• https://teachmeanatomy.info/the-basics/embryology/myotomes/