T6 spinal nerve

Nervus spinalis T6

NervousNervesThoraxLeft and right

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What it is
The T6 spinal nerve leaves the spinal canal between T6 and T7. Its sensory (dorsal) and motor (ventral) roots meet just beyond the dorsal root ganglion; the short mixed nerve then splits into a small dorsal ramus for the back muscles and skin and a larger ventral ramus, which becomes the 6th intercostal nerve.
Function
Carries motor fibres to the muscles of its segment (myotome) and sensation back from its strip of skin (dermatome): a band of skin around the lower chest.
Size
About 2-3 mm thick; the mixed nerve is only ~1 cm long before it divides
Clinical note
Cord injuries at or above T6 risk autonomic dysreflexia - dangerous surges of blood pressure triggered by a full bladder or bowel.

Nearby nervous structures 4th intercostal nerve, T10 spinal nerve, T2 spinal nerve, T3 spinal nerve, T4 spinal nerve, T5 spinal nerve, T6 dorsal root ganglion, T7 spinal nerve, T8 spinal nerve, T9 spinal nerve