Segmental innervation: a graphic synthesis of correspondence between dermatomes, myotomes, sclerotomes and viscerotomes. Systematic review of existing works and publications about dermatomes, myotomes, sclerotomes and viscerotomes aimed to design a graphic synthesis of somato-visceral correspondences

Abstract

This article proposes a graphic synthesis in the form of an illustration of somato-visceral correspondences achieved through a literature review of existing publications about dermatomes, myotomes, sclerotomes and viscerotomes. Fundamental concepts of osteopathy, correspondence of the medullary levels of innervation between the somatic structures and visceral organs is proposed in the form of a graphic synthesis.The goal of research. Relevant studies in French, English and German language have been collected. Dedicated search engines, Google Scholar, JSTOR Search, MEDLINE / Pubmed, Web of Science have been consulted as well as all specifi c medical libraries accessible on-line and on-site. Synthesis of collected data has been used to design correspondences between dermatomes, myotomes, sclerotomes and viscerotomes.Conclusion. The aim of this systematic review suggests a graphical synthesis correspondence of the innervation areas in human body between somatic structures and visceral structures and organs. These illustrations of a neurological correspondence between structures highlight the principles of global management for a person carrying somatic dysfunctions. Further experimental investigations using imaging tools and current technological advances should help to a more complete elaboration of neurological correspondences between structures as well as understand the process of osteopathic therapy effectiveness.