Thoracic Spine Nerve May 2026

A tumor in the pulmonary apex (Pancoast tumor) can invade the T1 sympathetic ganglion, causing Horner’s syndrome : ptosis, miosis, anhidrosis, and enophthalmos.

Compression of the lower trunk of the brachial plexus (C8-T1) can cause intrinsic hand muscle weakness and sensory loss along the medial arm and ulnar fingers. thoracic spine nerve

T7-T12 mediate the superficial abdominal reflexes. Loss of these reflexes can indicate a thoracic spinal cord lesion (e.g., multiple sclerosis or transverse myelitis). A tumor in the pulmonary apex (Pancoast tumor)

The thoracic dermatomes are the most common sites for shingles, due to reactivation of varicella-zoster virus in the dorsal root ganglia. Patients present with a unilateral, vesicular rash in a single dermatome (e.g., T4 or T10), often preceded by burning or lancinating pain. causing Horner’s syndrome : ptosis