Myotome Mnemonics and Gestures

Jul 22, 2025

Overview

This lecture provides mnemonics and gestures to help remember the key myotome levels for both the upper and lower limbs.

Upper Limb Myotomes & Mnemonics

  • C2: "Look at your shoe" — cervical flexion (neck down).
  • C3: "A fallen tree" — cervical lateral flexion (neck side).
  • C4: "I'm not sure" — shoulder elevation (shrugging).
  • C5: "Arms out wide" — shoulder abduction (lifting arms sideways).
  • C6: "Smell your wrist" — wrist extension and elbow flexion.
  • C7: "No zombies in heaven" — wrist flexion and elbow extension.
  • C8: "You're doing great" — thumb extension and sometimes ulnar deviation (thumbs up).
  • T1: "One and done" — finger abduction (spread fingers).

Lower Limb Myotomes & Mnemonics

  • L2: "Lifts your shoe" — hip flexion (leg lifts).
  • L3: "Extends the knee" — knee extension (straighten knee).
  • L4: "Stops the door" — ankle dorsiflexion (lift foot upward).
  • L5: "The toes divide" — great toe (big toe) extension.
  • S1: "Can lift a ton" — plantar flexion (tiptoe, calf muscles strong).
  • S2: "Coming back to you" — knee flexion (heel toward backside).

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Myotome — group of muscles innervated by a single spinal nerve root.
  • Flexion — bending a joint to decrease the angle.
  • Extension — straightening a joint to increase the angle.
  • Abduction — movement away from the midline of the body.
  • Adduction — movement toward the body's midline.
  • Dorsiflexion — raising the foot upwards toward the shin.
  • Plantar flexion — pointing the foot downward.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Practice repeating the mnemonics and gestures for each myotome level.
  • Review these myotome associations before your next test.