Dorsal Root Ganglion
Pronunciation: DOOR-sal root GANG-glee-on
Also written as: DRG — Dorsal Root Ganglion
Neural structure containing sensory neuron cell bodies, increasingly targeted for selective pain stimulation.
Full Definition
The dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is a cluster of sensory neuron cell bodies located along the dorsal root of spinal nerves, positioned within or near the intervertebral foramen. Each DRG contains the cell bodies of sensory neurons that transmit information from peripheral tissues to the spinal cord. In neuromodulation, DRG stimulation has emerged as a targeted therapy for localized chronic pain conditions, particularly effective for complex regional pain syndrome, focal neuropathic pain, and post-surgical pain. DRG stimulation offers advantages over traditional spinal cord stimulation including more precise anatomical targeting, reduced positional effects, and lower power requirements.
Usage
Usage note: Plural form is 'ganglia'; always specify anatomical level when discussing DRG targets.
In Context
- "Dorsal root ganglion stimulation provided targeted relief for the patient's post-thoracotomy pain syndrome." — Case study report
- "The dorsal root ganglion at L5 was identified as the optimal target for stimulation therapy." — Pre-operative planning note