The spelling of the word "nervus cutaneus dorsalis lateralis" may seem intimidating, but it can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word is made up of four Latin words - nervus (nerve), cutaneus (skin), dorsalis (back), and lateralis (side). In IPA, "nervus" is pronounced as "ˈnɛrvəs," "cutaneus" as "kjʊˈteɪniəs," "dorsalis" as "dɔrˈseɪlɪs," and "lateralis" as "lætəˈreɪlɪs." Putting these together, the word is pronounced as "NER-vus koo-TAY-nee-uhs door-SAY-lis luh-TAIR-uh-lis."
Nervus cutaneus dorsalis lateralis refers to a peripheral nerve that is part of the human nervous system. A peripheral nerve is a bundle of nerve fibers that extend from the central nervous system (CNS) to other parts of the body. Specifically, the nervus cutaneus dorsalis lateralis is a branch of the radial nerve, which is one of the major nerves in the upper limb.
The term "dorsalis lateralis" indicates the specific regions of the body that this nerve supplies. "Dorsalis" refers to the dorsal or posterior side, which is the back part of the body or limb. "Lateralis" indicates the outer or side parts of the body. Therefore, the nervus cutaneus dorsalis lateralis supplies the sensory innervation to the skin on the outer and posterior aspects of the upper limb.
This nerve allows for the transmission of sensory information, such as touch, temperature, and pain, from these regions of the upper limb to the CNS. It is responsible for providing sensation to areas like the posterior surface of the forearm, the dorsum of the hand, and the fingers on the outer side.
Understanding the anatomy and function of nerves like the nervus cutaneus dorsalis lateralis is crucial in diagnosing and treating conditions that may affect the peripheral nervous system. Through this knowledge, healthcare professionals can identify potential sources of pain or dysfunction, enabling them to develop appropriate treatment plans and interventions.
Lateral dorsal cutaneous nerve, the continuation of the sural nerve in the dorsum of the foot.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.