A nerve root is a bundle of nerve fibers that emerges from the spinal cord. It serves as a pathway for signals between the spinal cord and the rest of the body. Each nerve root is part of a spinal nerve, which is responsible for transmitting sensory and motor information. There are two types of nerve roots: dorsal roots, which carry sensory information from the body to the spinal cord, and ventral roots, which transmit motor commands from the spinal cord to the muscles. Together, these roots play a crucial role in the nervous system's function and communication.