Final answer:
The L5 spinal nerve dermatome encompasses the great toe's dorsal and plantar surfaces, important in neurological exams and understanding spinal nerve distribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dermatome for the great toe, specifically on both the dorsal and plantar surfaces, is associated with the L5 spinal nerve. The L5 dermatome includes the top of the foot and extends to the great toe or hallux. This is significant in both clinical examinations and in understanding the somatotopic arrangement of spinal nerves.
For instance, during a neurological exam, reflexes such as the plantar reflex are tested to assess nervous system integrity. The plantar reflex involves testing the Babinski sign on the plantar surface of the foot. A healthy response after the maturation of gait (typically after the infant stage) is toe flexion, rather than extension, which would be indicative of a positive Babinski sign and potential neurological dysfunction.
The functional anatomy, such as the distribution of the dorsal and plantar arteries and the intrinsic muscles of the foot, is also important for clinical assessments and interventions related to foot health.