nerve root

American  

[nurv root, root] / ˈnɜrv ˌrut, ˌrʊt /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of nerve root

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Finally, after several visits to specialists, the cause was identified in January and a cyst along the nerve root in his lower back was removed in early February.

From New York Times • Feb. 21, 2020

Nussbaum said that Taylor’s MRI showed no disk abnormality compressing his spinal cord or nerve root.

From The New Yorker • May 4, 2015

He played in only 15 games last season with nerve root irritation, but hoped for a comeback season after several months of rehabilitation.

From Washington Times • Oct. 24, 2014

Those are axons of sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia that enter the spinal cord through the dorsal nerve root.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

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

From The Mind and Its Education by Betts, George Herbert