Question

The neuronal cell bodies of the ventral roots of spinal nerves are found in the ventral horn of the spinal cord. What is the location of the neuronal cell bodies of the ventral roots of spinal nerves?

1) Dorsal horn
2) Lateral horn
3) Ventral horn
4) Gray matter

Answer 1

The location of the neuronal cell bodies of the ventral roots of spinal nerves is the ventral horn of the spinal cord, part of the gray matter that contains motor neurons responsible for skeletal muscle contractions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The neuronal cell bodies of the ventral roots of spinal nerves are found in the ventral horn of the spinal cord. This area is known for containing the cell bodies of motor neurons which project their axons through the ventral nerve root and then to the muscles for movement. Specifically, the somatic nervous system provides output to skeletal muscles through these lower motor neurons that reside in the ventral horn, which is part of the gray matter of the spinal cord.

These motor neurons within the ventral horn are large, multipolar neurons with dendrites surrounding the cell body and a long axon that extends out to the peripheral muscles. In cross-sectional views of the spinal cord, the gray matter has an 'H' shape with different regions referred to as horns. The ventral horn is one such region, clearly distinguished from the dorsal horn, which processes sensory information, and the lateral horn, associated with the autonomic nervous system.