A patient has an injury of the spine and is now suffering from a loss of motor function in hisright arm. However, he still has normal sensory function in the arm. Based on this information it is likely that the patient has nervous tissue damage located at ________.
A) the ventral root located at one or more of the cervical vertebra
B) spinal nerves of the cervical vertebra
C) the dorsal rootlets located at one of the thoracic vertebra
D) the dorsal root located at one or more of the cervical vertebra

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ventral root of the spinal nerve is responsible for motor function, while the dorsal root is responsible for sensory function. Since the patient has lost motor function but retains sensory function in the right arm, the damage is likely in the ventral root at the cervical vertebra, which innervates the arm.

A Patient Has an Injury of the Spine and Is