dorsal root ganglion

noun

plural dorsal root ganglia

: a ganglion (see ganglion sense 2a) on the dorsal root of each spinal nerve that is one of a series of ganglia lodging cell bodies of sensory neurons

The virus then becomes latent in the sensory dorsal root ganglia. With reactivation, a distinct rash localized to a single dermatome ensues.

—Kelly K. Curtis and Hoenarasipur R. Vikram

called also spinal ganglion

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

dorsal root ganglion

noun

: a ganglion on the dorsal root of each spinal nerve that is one of a series of ganglia containing cell bodies of sensory neurons : spinal ganglion

Although most adults are seropositive for primary varicella zoster infection, the lifetime risk of developing herpes zoster—reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus residing in dorsal root ganglia after primary infection—is 10%-30%, the investigators noted.

—Mary Ann Moon, Skin & Allergy News

—abbreviation DRG