Dictionary of Biological Psychology
peripheral nerves and spinal nerves
Peripheral nerves and spinal nerves both are, and are not, the same thing. Peripheral nerves are composed of individual neurons (see NEURON) which interact directly with body tissues. These neurons aggregate together to form peripheral nerves.
As these FIBRES are traced back towards the SPINAL CORD, they group to form peripheral nerves. As these are traced back still further towards the spinal cord, they combine to an even greater degree to form spinal nerves. Of course, in both the peripheral and the spinal nerves there are in fact neurons projecting in each direction: some from the spinal cord to the body tissues and some from the body to the spinal cord. Close to the spinal cord these are separated: the AFFERENT fibres (bringing information in to the spinal cord form the body) enter the spinal cord through the DORSAL ROOT GANGLIA and the DORSAL ROOTS. The EFFERENT fibres (those fibres that travel from the spinal cord to the body) exit the spinal cord via the VENTRAL ROOTS.
See also: dermatome
This is the complete article, containing 174 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page).
View More Summaries on Peripheral nervous system
