Posterior Root of Fifth Cervical Nerve

Origin

The posterior root of the fifth cervical nerve originates just lateral to or in the intervertebral foramen, between the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae. This corresponds to the point where the cervical nerve splits into anterior and posterior roots.

Course

The posterior root of the fifth cervical nerve runs medially towards the posterior side of the spinal cord. Adjacent to the appropriate spinal cord level, the posterior root splits into smaller rootlets, which enter the posterior spinal cord in line with the dorsal horn of the gray matter.

Branches

There are no branches of the posterior root of the fifth cervical nerve. The proximal end of the posterior root has a bulge called the spinal (or dorsal root) ganglion, which is the location of the neuronal cell bodies of the neurons that form the posterior root.

Supplied Structures

Sensory afferent fibers from the skin around the anterior upper limb and shoulder are relayed to the posterior root via the anterior ramus of the fifth cervical nerve.

The sensory afferent neurons, which provide innervation to the skin above the trapezius, transmit general sensory information to the posterior root via the posterior ramus of the fifth cervical nerve.