Dorsal and Ventral Roots

Each spinal nerve emerges from the cord by two short branches or roots, which are within the vertebral column. The dorsal or sensory root can be identified by the presence of an enlargement called the dorsal root ganglion which contains cell bodies of sensory neurons. The ventral root (motor root) of each spinal nerve has cell bodies located within the grey matter of the spinal cord. A ventral root and a dorsal root unite to form a spinal nerve which exits the vertebral canal through an opening called the intervertebral foramen.