Nerve roots are the initial segments of spinal nerves that emerge from the spinal cord. Each spinal nerve consists of two roots: the dorsal root, which carries sensory information from the body to the spinal cord, and the ventral root, which transmits motor commands from the spinal cord to the muscles. These roots combine to form a spinal nerve, which exits the vertebral column through openings called intervertebral foramina. Nerve roots play a crucial role in the nervous system, facilitating communication between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body.