title: Painful lumbosacral sensory distribution patterns: embryogenesis to adulthood.
abstract: When the dorsal root ganglion is irritated by any of a variety of mechanisms, pain is referred to the various structures innervated by that root. In many circumstances, this pain is specific and may be used as a diagnostic aid. Unfortunately, emphasis is placed on defining a dermatomal distribution; the existence of a myotomal or sclerotomal origin of referred pain is often overlooked. This review presents the embryologic, anatomic, and neurophysiologic etiology of referred pain from the lumbar spine.
authors.affiliation: Spine Fellowship Program, Alamo Bone and Joint Clinic, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ricketson
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: McMillin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000503:physiopathology; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000196:embryology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000196:embryology / Q000503:physiopathology