Which structure houses the cell bodies of sensory neurons that convey somatic and visceral information?

Which structure houses the cell bodies of sensory neurons that convey somatic and visceral information?

• A. Dorsal horn
• B. Ventral horn
• C. Dorsal root ganglion
• D. Spinal cord center

Answer: (D)

The cell bodies of primary sensory neurons carrying somatic and visceral information are located in the dorsal root ganglia. These ganglia lie just outside the spinal cord along the dorsal roots. The first-order sensory neurons have peripheral processes that detect stimuli and central processes that enter the spinal cord to synapse in the dorsal horn with second-order neurons. The dorsal horn is where sensory processing occurs, not where the cell bodies of these neurons reside. In contrast, the ventral horn contains motor neuron cell bodies that project to muscles. So, the dorsal root ganglion is the structure that houses the cell bodies of these sensory neurons.

The cell bodies of primary sensory neurons carrying somatic and visceral information are located in the dorsal root ganglia. These ganglia lie just outside the spinal cord along the dorsal roots. The first-order sensory neurons have peripheral processes that detect stimuli and central processes that enter the spinal cord to synapse in the dorsal horn with second-order neurons. The dorsal horn is where sensory processing occurs, not where the cell bodies of these neurons reside. In contrast, the ventral horn contains motor neuron cell bodies that project to muscles. So, the dorsal root ganglion is the structure that houses the cell bodies of these sensory neurons.