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Spinal nerves

Learning objectives 

On completion of this study unit you should be able to:

  1. Describe the formation of the spinal nerves from the spinal cord. 
  2. Identify the main branches of the spinal nerves. 
  3. Understand the general innervation pathway of the spinal nerves.

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The spinal nerves are a collection of thirty-one pairs of mixed nerves which arise from the spinal cord. They form the largest component of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), transmitting afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor/autonomic) information between much of the periphery and central nervous system. Neurons within each spinal nerve can be functionally categorized as somatic (related pertaining to skin, skeletal muscle, tendons and joints), or visceral (pertaining to internal organ/smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands). Thus, neurons within a typical spinal nerve can be classed as belonging to one of four functional modalities: 

  • Somatic afferent/efferent, or
  • Visceral afferent/efferent

The spinal nerves can be subdivided as follows: eight pairs of cervical nerves, twelve thoracic, five lumbar, five sacral and one coccygeal. Each spinal nerve arises from the spinal cord within the vertebral canal as anterior and posterior rootlets (6-8 of each) which combine to form the anterior and posterior roots of the spinal cord. The anterior roots of the spinal cord contain efferent (i.e. motor/autonomic) nerve fibers while the posterior roots contain the processes of afferent (i.e. sensory) neurons. 

The spinal nerves exit the vertebral canal through the intervertebral foramen, or via the sacral foramina in the sacral region, and give off two primary branches: a small posterior ramus and a larger anterior ramus. These branches supply cutaneous, motor and autonomic innervation to muscles and skin of the neck, trunk and limbs. 

Take a closer look at the spinal nerves by watching the video below.

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Test your knowledge on the spinal nerves with the quiz below.

If you want to expand your knowledge even further, try our custom quiz creator. In the link below you’ll find the preset for a quiz all about the spinal cord and spinal nerves.

Browse atlas

Explore the anatomical structure and formation of the spinal nerves in the galleries below.

Summary

Key points about the spinal nerves
Formation Anterior root (efferent) + posterior root (afferent) → Spinal nerve (mixed)
Branches Posterior ramus: Lateral and medial branch
Anterior ramus
: Recurrent meningeal branch, white ramus communicans (T1-L2 spinal nerves)

Receives: Gray ramus communicans (sympathetic input)
Supply area Posterior ramus: Efferent innervation to the deep back muscles and overlying skin

Anterior ramus
: Afferent and autonomic innervation to the rest of the skeletal muscles of the body, including those of the limbs and trunk, and most remaining areas of the skin, except for certain regions of the head

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