Final answer:
The dorsal root of the spinal nerve carries sensory information, including touch, proprioception, pain, and temperature, into the spinal cord, with the dorsal column system and spinothalamic tract being the main pathways for this information.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dorsal root of a spinal nerve carries sensory information to the spinal cord. Sensory neurons have their cell bodies located in the dorsal root ganglia, which contains afferent axons from sensory receptors throughout the body. The main types of information transmitted through the dorsal roots are related to sensations such as touch, proprioception, pain, and temperature. Specifically, the dorsal column system conveys information about touch and proprioception and crosses to the other side of the body (decussates) in the medulla. Conversely, the spinothalamic tract carries pain and temperature sensations and decussates at the level of the spinal cord where it enters.