NCLEX Neurologic and Sensory Systems Practice Exam 2025 - Free Neurologic and Sensory Systems Practice Questions and Study Guide

Dorsal root ganglia play a crucial role in the sensory pathways of the nervous system by containing the cell bodies of sensory neurons. These ganglia are located just outside the spinal cord and are responsible for transmitting sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system.

When sensory receptors detect stimuli, such as touch, pain, or temperature, they send signals along the sensory neurons. The axons of these neurons travel toward the spinal cord, with their cell bodies residing in the dorsal root ganglia. This structure acts as a relay point, where the sensory information is organized before being directed up to the brain for processing.

In contrast to the other choices, the production of neurotransmitters typically occurs in nerve terminals or synapses, not in the dorsal root ganglia themselves. While reflex responses involve dorsal root ganglia, their primary function is related to the cell bodies of sensory neurons rather than the facilitation of these reflex actions. Similarly, the control of motor neuron activity is more closely associated with other structures within the nervous system, such as the spinal cord and motor nuclei, rather than being a direct function of the dorsal root ganglia. Thus, the role of dorsal root ganglia is specifically tied to housing the cell bodies of