dermatome /dur″mətōm/ [Gk, derma + temnein, to cut] , 1. (in embryology) the mesodermal layer in the early developing embryo that gives rise to the dermal layers of the skin. 2. (in surgery) a small instrument used to cut thin slices of skin for grafting. 3. an area on the surface of a body innervated by afferent fibers from one spinal root.
