nerve root

[ nurv root, root ]

noun

, Anatomy.

1. a nerve fiber bundle that emerges from either side of the spinal cord and joins with a complementary bundle to form each spinal nerve in the series of spinal nerves: the root at the rear of the spinal cord dorsal root, or sensory root conveys sensations to the central nervous system, and the root at the front ventral root, or motor root conveys impulses to the muscles.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nerve root¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

The cells of the spinal cord exhibit a slight tendency to converge towards the origin of the anterior nerve-root.

From Project Gutenberg

On its outer side lies the downward process of the nerve-root before mentioned.

From Project Gutenberg

The attachment of the posterior nerve-root to the spinal cord is, on account of its small size, very difficult to observe.

From Project Gutenberg

The central end of a posterior nerve-root from the same embryo, with the commissure springing out from it on either side.

From Project Gutenberg

Similar bundles of motor fibers in the form of a motor nerve root emerge from the cord at the same level.

From Project Gutenberg