DORSAL ROOT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does dorsal root mean? 

• DORSAL ROOT (noun)
  The noun DORSAL ROOT has 1 sense:

1. one of two roots of a spinal nerve that passes dorsally from the spinal cord and that consists of sensory fibers

  Familiarity information: DORSAL ROOT used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DORSAL ROOT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

One of two roots of a spinal nerve that passes dorsally from the spinal cord and that consists of sensory fibers

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

dorsal horn; dorsal root; posterior horn; posterior root

Hypernyms ("dorsal root" is a kind of...):

afferent; afferent nerve; sensory nerve (a nerve that passes impulses from receptors toward or to the central nervous system)

Holonyms ("dorsal root" is a part of...):

spinal nerve root (one of two roots of the spinal nerves)

 Context examples 

It is usually caused by the production of anti-neuronal autoantibodies: anti-Hu (ANNA-1) or anti-CV2 (CRMP-5), which result in cytotoxic T-cell mediated destruction of dorsal root ganglia.

(Paraneoplastic Subacute Sensory Neuronopathy, NCI Thesaurus)

A common dermal and neurologic disorder caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that has remained dormant within dorsal root ganglia, often for decades, after the patient's initial exposure to the virus in the form of varicella (chickenpox).

(Herpes Zoster, NCI Thesaurus)