TABLE 21-3. - Symptoms of nerve root damage (? indicates "possible").
| ROOT LEVEL | SENSORY LOSS AUTONOMOUS ZONE |
MOTOR WEAKNESS | REFLEX LOSS | COMMON CAUSE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C5 | Lateral arm? | Abduction & external rotation of shoulder | None | C4-5 disc/foraminal encroachment |
| C6 | Lateral forearm; near thumb | Elbow flexion; wrist extension? | Biceps reflex | C5-6 disc/foraminal encroachment |
| C7 | Middle digit | Elbow extension; finger extenison | Triceps reflex | C6-7 disc/foraminal encroachment |
| C8 | Ulnar digit (hand) | Finger ad- & abduction | None (? finger flexion reflex) | C8-T1 disc/foraminal encroachment |
| L4 | Below medial knee toward ankle | Knee extension | Patellar | L3-4 disc herniation |
| L5 | Dorsal foot toward great toe | Foot and great toe dorsiflexion; ankle inversion/eversion | None | L4-5 disc herniation |
| S1 | Lateral heel toward small toe | Foot and great toe plantar flexion | Ankle jerk | L5-S1 disc herniation |
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