Medial branch of the dorsal ramus of spinal nerve

The medial branch of the dorsal ramus of each spinal nerve is a small peripheral nerve that supplies sensory innervation to the facet (zygapophyseal) joints of the spine, as well as the multifidus muscle and some posterior spinal ligaments. It plays a crucial role in transmitting pain signals from degenerated or inflamed facet joints to the central nervous system. These nerves are targeted in pain management procedures such as medial branch blocks, which involve injection of local anesthetic (and occasionally corticosteroid) to diagnose or treat facet-mediated back pain. Radiofrequency ablation of the medial branch nerve may provide longer-term relief by destroying its ability to transmit pain signals[1][2][3][4][5][6].

Other names

medial branch nervemedial branches of dorsal ramimedial branch spinal nervemedial branch (facet)

nerve blockade (inhibition of neuronal transmission of pain signals); ablation (nerve destruction with radiofrequency or other methods)[4][5]