Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How are the 31 pairs of spinal nerves grouped by region?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
human nervous system
The conduction of electrochemical stimuli from sensory receptors in the human nervous system occurs via organized groups of specialized cells, consisting largely of neurons, various neural support cells, and tracts of nerve fibers.
In the human body, the 31 pairs of spinal nerves are organized into segments based on the region of the spinal cord from which they emerge. These nerves connect the spinal cord to specific areas of the body.12
The 31 pairs are grouped as follows:
- Cervical (C): 8 pairs12
- Thoracic (T): 12 pairs12
- Lumbar (L): 5 pairs12
- Sacral (S): 5 pairs12
- Coccygeal (Coc): 1 pair12
Each of these nerves is associated with a dorsal root for sensory input and a ventral root for motor output.12