Pain from the stomach is referred to which region of the spine?

Pain from the stomach is referred to which region of the spine?

• A. Thoracic spine near the upper portion
• B. Mid thoracic spine
• C. Cervical spine
• D. Lumbar spine

Answer: (B)

Pain from the stomach tends to be referred to the mid-thoracic region because visceral afferents from the foregut travel with the sympathetic nerves to thoracic spinal cord levels, mainly around T6 to T9. The brain, receiving this input, often interprets it as somatic pain in the corresponding dermatomes of the mid-thoracic spine. That’s why stomach discomfort is commonly felt in the mid-back or epigastric area, rather than in the cervical or lumbar regions or the very upper thoracic area.

Pain from the stomach tends to be referred to the mid-thoracic region because visceral afferents from the foregut travel with the sympathetic nerves to thoracic spinal cord levels, mainly around T6 to T9. The brain, receiving this input, often interprets it as somatic pain in the corresponding dermatomes of the mid-thoracic spine. That’s why stomach discomfort is commonly felt in the mid-back or epigastric area, rather than in the cervical or lumbar regions or the very upper thoracic area.