Cervical radiculopathy: upper limb myotomes

Cervical radiculopathy

The graphic below outlines the expected motor and sensory deficits in the upper limb corresponding to compression of each cervical nerve root. It should be noted that nerve roots above C5 (C1-C4) do not take part in the brachial plexus and therefore do not supply the upper limb.


The list below details which movement is most strongly associated with each myotome:

• C5: Shoulder abduction
• C6: Elbow flexion / Wrist extension
• C7: Elbow extension
• C8: Finger flexion
• T1: Finger abduction