<P> The root emerges from the posterior part of the spinal cord and travels to the dorsal root ganglion . This contains the cell bodies of the nerve fibres contained in the root . </P> <P> The lateral division of the dorsal root contains lightly myelinated and unmyelinated fibres of small diameter . These carry pain and temperature sensation . These fibers cross through the anterior white commissure to form the anterolateral system in the lateral funiculus . </P> <P> The medial division of the dorsal root contains myelinated fibres of larger diameter . These transmit information of discriminative touch, pressure, vibration, and conscious proprioception originating from spinal levels C2 through S5 . These fibers are pushed in towards the posterior median sulcus to form the gracile fasciculus and the cuneate fasciculus of the posterior column--medial lemniscus pathway . If the dorsal root of a spinal nerve were severed it would lead to numbness in certain areas of the body . </P> <Ul> <Li> <P> Cervical vertebra </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Medulla spinalis </P> </Li> <Li> <P> A spinal nerve with its anterior and posterior roots . </P> </Li> <Li> <P> The sensory tract . </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Diagrammatic transverse section of the medulla spinalis and its membranes . </P> </Li> <Li> <P> A portion of the spinal cord, showing its right lateral surface . The dura is opened and arranged to show the nerve roots . </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Scheme showing structure of a typical spinal nerve . </P> </Li> </Ul>

What happens when the dorsal root of a spinal nerve is cut