Ventral ramus of spinal nerve

The **ventral ramus of spinal nerve** is the anterior division of a spinal nerve, branching after the nerve exits the intervertebral foramen. Ventral rami are generally larger than dorsal rami, and carry both sensory and motor fibers for the innervation of muscles, skin, and joints of the lateral and ventral body walls, as well as the limbs. In the thoracic region, ventral rami remain distinct and form intercostal nerves. In the cervical, lumbar, and sacral regions, they converge to form nerve plexuses (cervical, brachial, lumbar, sacral), which serve the extremities and trunk[1][2][3][6][4][5][8]. Their fibers participate in muscle contraction, coordinate body movement, and carry sensory information such as pain, pressure, and temperature sensation. Damage to a ventral ramus or its branches can lead to motor and sensory deficits in their respective regions of innervation[1][6][2][3].

Other names

Anterior ramus of spinal nerveventral rami