Peripheral nerve field

Peripheral Nerve Field (PNF) is a term used in the field of neurology to describe the area of the body innervated by a specific peripheral nerve. The concept of peripheral nerve fields is crucial in understanding the distribution of sensory and motor functions in the body.

Etymology

The term "Peripheral Nerve Field" is derived from the Greek words "peripheria" (meaning "circumference") and "neuron" (meaning "nerve"). The term "field" is used in this context to denote an area or region.

Definition

A Peripheral Nerve Field is defined as the specific area of the body that is supplied by a particular peripheral nerve. This includes both the sensory and motor innervation. The sensory innervation refers to the area of the body from which the nerve receives sensory information, while the motor innervation refers to the area of the body that the nerve controls movement in.

Clinical Significance

Understanding the concept of peripheral nerve fields is crucial in the clinical setting. It allows clinicians to determine the location of nerve damage based on the symptoms a patient presents with. For example, if a patient presents with numbness in a specific area of the body, a clinician can use their knowledge of peripheral nerve fields to determine which nerve may be damaged.

Peripheral nerve fields are also important in the field of anesthesia. Anesthesiologists use their knowledge of peripheral nerve fields to administer local anesthetics to specific areas of the body.

Related Terms

• Dermatome: An area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve.
• Myotome: A group of muscles primarily innervated by a single spinal nerve.
• Peripheral Nervous System: The part of the nervous system outside the central nervous system.

See Also

• Nervous system
• Neuroanatomy
• Neurophysiology

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