What Is a Dorsal Ramus

The dorsal ramus (Latin for branch, plural rami ) is the dorsal branch of a spinal nerve that forms from the dorsal root of the nerve after it emerges from the spinal cord.

What is the difference between a dorsal root and dorsal ramus?

Spinal roots carry sensory (dorsal root) or motor (ventral root) neurons, whereas the spinal nerves and rami contain a mixture of sensory and motor neurons. The dorsal rami seg-mentally innervate deep back muscles (motor) and the skin of the back (sensory).

What parts of the body does the dorsal ramus service?

The dorsal ramus supplies the muscles on the dorsal part of the body (back, dorsal muscles, and skin); and the ventral ramus supplies the ventral muscles and skin of the ventral body wall. The ventral ramus also communicates with the sympathetic portion of the autonomic nervous system.

Chloe Bennett

Chloe Bennett

Culture, Media & Entertainment Columnist

Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.

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