nerve root

[ nurv-root, root ]

/ ˈnɜrv ˌrut, ˌrʊt /

Save This Word!

noun Anatomy.

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.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of nerve root

First recorded in 1875–80

Words nearby nerve root

nerve growth factor, nerve impulse, nerveless, nerve net, nerve-racking, nerve root, nerves, nerve trunk, Nervi, nervine, nerving

How to use nerve root in a sentence

A Republican candidate hoping to win red state support could find a worse team to root for than one from Dallas.
Will Chris Christie Regret His Cowboy Hug?|Matt Lewis|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Last summer, I spoke with first black supermodel Beverly Johnson about this for The Root.
One Vogue Cover Doesn’t Solve Fashion’s Big Race Problem|Danielle Belton|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It has grown from a rotten root—striving to replace human judgment with detailed dictates.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The root of the word irony is in the Greek eironeia, “liar.”
Up to a Point: They Made Me Write About Lena Dunham|P. J. O’Rourke|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Few have the nerve to call him and he's usually pleased when an old friend does.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He is what the bill wishes to make for us, a regular root doctor, and will suit the place exactly.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
It was Carmena, every nerve of her loyal nature on the alert to baffle this pursuer of Alessandro and Ramona.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
But at the root of the unnatural miracles is the natural miracle—the heart of man.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
You see, I stuck to him like a log to a root, but for the first week or so 'twant no use—not a bit.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
To add point to this success, he knew that the victor of Montebello was straining every nerve to gain this very prize.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison