Thoracic dermatomes in neuraxial anaesthesia — FRCA Primary MCQ

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EasyAnatomyThoracic dermatomes in neuraxial anaesthesiaFRCA Primary

A 28-year-old woman has a spinal anaesthetic for caesarean birth. A T4 sensory level is required for surgery. Which dermatome corresponds most closely to the nipple line?

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Correct answer: C — T4

The nipple line corresponds approximately to T4, which is the target sensory level for caesarean delivery under neuraxial anaesthesia. T10 corresponds to the umbilicus, not the nipple line. T6 is closer to the xiphisternum. The clinical pearl is that sympathetic block may extend higher than the measured sensory block.

Reference: RCoA Primary FRCA Syllabus 2026; Anatomy for Anaesthetists