Which part of the spinal cord do the dorsal roots connect to?

The dorsal roots of the spinal cord connect to the dorsal horns. This area of the spinal cord is primarily responsible for processing sensory information. Each dorsal root contains sensory nerve fibers that carry signals from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system. When these fibers enter the spinal cord, they synapse primarily in the dorsal horns, which is where the sensory neurons relay their information about touch, pain, temperature, and proprioception.

Within the spinal cord, the dorsal horns contain the cell bodies of interneurons and relay neurons that process and transmit sensory information up to higher brain centers. This connection highlights the dorsal roots' critical role in the sensory pathway and emphasizes the specific function of the dorsal horns in integrating and responding to sensory input.