How do dorsal rami and ventral rami of spinal nerves differ?

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After a spinal nerve exits the intervertebral foramen, it divides into dorsal and ventral rami, which differ primarily in the regions they innervate.1

  • Dorsal Rami: These branches generally innervate the deep muscles of the back and the overlying skin. Depending on the spinal level, they may contain sensory and motor fibers or be primarily muscular or cutaneous in function.1
  • Ventral Rami: These branches are responsible for innervating the muscles, joints, and skin of the lateral and ventral body walls, as well as the extremities.1

Both the dorsal and ventral rami contain autonomic fibers.1