Spinal nerve

A mixed nerve formed by the union of a sensory dorsal root and a motor ventral root. It carries signals between the spinal cord and much of the body.

Dorsal root: The bundle of sensory axons entering the spinal cord from a spinal nerve. It supplies the sensory fibers that join motor fibers to form the nerve.
Spinal cord: The central nervous system structure within the vertebral canal that carries signals and coordinates reflexes. Spinal nerves connect the cord with peripheral tissues.
Neurological examination: A clinical assessment of sensory, motor, reflex, and other nervous system functions. Testing dermatomes and myotomes helps localize spinal nerve or root dysfunction.
Cranial nerve: A nerve that arises directly from the brain or brainstem rather than the spinal cord. Cranial nerves connect the brain with structures mostly in the head and neck.
Ventral root: The bundle of motor axons leaving the spinal cord toward a spinal nerve. Its motor fibers unite with the dorsal root to form the nerve.
Peripheral nervous system: The nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord. Spinal nerves are a major set of connections within this system.
Radiculopathy: A disorder caused by irritation or damage to a spinal nerve root. It affects root fibers before or near their union into a spinal nerve.
Autonomic nervous system: The nervous system division regulating involuntary functions through sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways. Autonomic fibers travel with spinal nerves, but the nerve itself also carries somatic fibers.
Dorsal root ganglion: A swelling on a dorsal root containing the cell bodies of sensory neurons. It houses sensory neuron cell bodies before their axons enter the spinal nerve.
Spinal nerve root: A sensory or motor bundle connecting a spinal nerve with the spinal cord. The two roots unite to create a spinal nerve.

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