General Somatic Afferent Neurons

The general somatic afferent (GSA) neurons of the abdomen and pelvis have their cell bodies in the dorsal root ganglia of the lumbar and sacral segmental spinal nerves. The dorsal root ganglia are located within the vertebral canal at the level of each interverte­bral foramen. The dorsal root is joined by the ventral root, and as soon as the nerves leave the vertebral canal they divide into dorsal and ventral branches. Both of these branches contain GSA neurons that originate at a variety of cutaneous receptors respond­ing to touch, pain, pressure and temperature in the wall of the abdomen and pelvis.

11.2