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Myotomes

Recommended video: Peripheral nervous system [05:21]
Anatomy and function of the peripheral nervous system.
Myotome: A group of muscles innervated by a single spinal nerve

A myotome is a group of muscles innervated by the ventral root a single spinal nerve. This term is based on the combination of two Ancient Greek roots; “myo-” meaning “muscle”, and “tome”, a “cutting” or “thin segment”.

Like spinal nerves, myotomes are organised into segments because they share a common origin. However, myotome testing can be difficult since individual muscles can be innervated by more than one nerve and by nerves that originate from different spinal cord levels. It is generally done by checking a patient's ability to perform specific actions and checking for muscle weakness. 

Key facts about myotomes
Development Develop from somites
Myotome testing Through precise movements (resisted isometric contraction) and tendon reflexes
Clinical notes Intervertebral disc herniation

This article will discuss the development, testing, and function of myotomes.

Contents
  1. Development
  2. What is a myotome?
  3. Myotome testing
    1. Cervical and thoracic myotomes
    2. Lumbar and sacral myotomes
  4. Clinical relations
    1. Herniated disc
  5. Sources
+ Show all

Development

The rostrocaudal organisation of the spinal cord happens early in intrauterine development. During the third week of gestation, the notochord has developed and the mesoderm lateral to it has differentiated into three columns. The column running directly next to the notochord is the paraxial mesoderm. The paraxial mesoderm will then start to divide into cube-shaped, bilaterally paired segments called somites. Each of these segments corresponds to a division of the vertebral column and spinal cord in an adult. By the end of the fifth week of gestation, all pairs of somites are present as 38-40 segments: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 8-10 coccygeal segments. Each somite will differentiate into three different regions. The ventral portion will form the sclerotome while the dorsal portion forms the dermomyotome which later splits into the dermatome and myotome.

What is a myotome?

A myotome is a group of muscles which are innervated by a single spinal nerve which has derived from the same embryological segment. In this way, it is described as the motor equivalent of a dermatome, which is an area of skin innervated by a single spinal nerve. Individual muscles can be innervated by more than one nerve or by a nerve which originates from multiple spinal nerves. Therefore, muscles can be made up of more than one myotome. 

For example, the quadriceps femoris muscle is innervated by the femoral nerve. The femoral nerve arises from the lumbar plexus and has its origins from L2-L4. Therefore the quadriceps femoris muscle is a part of the L2, L3, and L4 myotomes. The main function of the quadriceps femoris muscle is to extend the leg at the knee joint so this movement can be used to test L2-L4 myotomes. The femoral nerve also innervates the iliacus, pectineus, and sartorius muscles. Therefore all of these muscles, including the quadriceps femoris muscle, are part of the L2-L4 myotomes.

Check out our learning materials to learn more about the spinal nerves anatomy.

Myotome testing

Myotomes are tested by asking patients to perform different movements which are associated with different spinal nerves because individual muscles can be a part of multiple myotomes where myotomes are made up of multiple muscles which can perform different actions. Specifically, the clinician performs the tests with resisted isometric contractions, and the joint being tested should be at the resting position, or near it. Muscle contractions should be held for at least 5 seconds. This will help pinpoint if specific spinal nerves are lesioned, diseased, or injured if the patient is unable to perform these movements fully. 

Looking for a way to improve your learning process? Check out our 8 steps to create your own anatomy flashcards.

Like dermatomes, myotomes can overlap. So even though myotomes have been mapped to certain areas of the body, the mapping is not precise because of natural variation in where muscles receive their innervation. For example, the musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C7) innervates the muscles in the anterior compartment of the arm – coracobrachialis, biceps brachii, and brachialis muscles. If it is absent, these muscles can instead be innervated by branches from the median nerve (C5-T1).

Round up your knowledge with our materials about the body movements.

Cervical and thoracic myotomes

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. Because the accessory nerve (CN XI) also innervates muscles of the neck, these can also be tested with some of the same movements.

Movements for cervical and thoracic myotome testing
C1-C2 Flexion of the neck
C3 and CN XI Lateral flexion of the neck
C4 and CN XI Elevation of the shoulder
C5 Abduction, lateral rotation, and flexion of the arm at the shoulder joint
C5-C6 Flexion of the arm at the shoulder joint
C6 Supination at the shoulder joint
C6-C7 Extension of the forearm at the elbow joint
Flexion and extension of the hand at the wrist joint
C6-C8 Medial rotation, adduction, and extension of the arm at the shoulder joint
C7-C8 Pronation at the shoulder joint
Flexion and extension of the digits of the hand at the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
C8 Extension of the thumb at the metacarpophalangeal joint
Ulnar flexion at the wrist joint
T1 Abduction of finger III metacarpophalangeal joints
Adduction of finger II, III, IV at the metacarpophalangeal joints
T2-T12 Generally not tested. These nerves innervate the muscles of the thoracic and abdominal wall. 

This type of testing relies on the patient being conscious and able. If the patient is unconscious, myotomes can be tested with tendon reflexes instead:

  • C6 – tendon of the biceps brachii muscle in the cubital fossa
  • C7 – tendon of the triceps brachii muscle posterior to the elbow

Lumbar and sacral myotomes

The lumbar and sacral myotomes (L1-S3) are tested with the patient lying supine. These are tested with movements of the hip, knee, ankle, intertarsal, and metatarsophalangeal joints.

Movements for lumbar and sacral myotome testing
L1-L3 Flexion and medial (internal) rotation of the thigh at the hip joint
L1-L4 Adduction of the thigh at the hip joint
L1, L5 Lateral (external) rotation of the thigh at the hip joint
L3-L4 Extension of the leg at the knee joint
L4-L5 Extension of the thigh at the hip joint
Inversion of the foot at the intertarsal joints
L4-S1 Dorsiflexion of the foot at the ankle joint
L5-S1 Abduction of the thigh at the hip joint
Eversion of the foot at the intertarsal joints
L5-S2 Flexion of the leg at the knee joint
L5 Extension of the toes at the metatarsophalangeal joints
S1-S2 Plantarflexion of the foot at the ankle joint
S2-S3 Adduction of the toes at the metatarsophalangeal joints
S3-S4 Anal reflexive contraction of the external anal sphincter
S3-S5 Rectal and/or bladder dysfunction

Like cervical myotomes, lumbar and sacral myotomes can be tested with tendon reflexes if the patient is unconscious:

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