The
meningeal branches of the spinal nerves (also known as
recurrent meningeal nerves,
sinuvertebral nerves, or
recurrent nerves of Luschka) are a number of small nerves that branch from the spinal nerve near the origin of the anterior and posterior rami, but before the rami communicantes branch. They then re-enter the
intervertebral foramen, and innervate the
facet joints, the
anulus fibrosus of the
intervertebral disc, and the ligaments and periosteum of the
spinal canal, carrying pain sensation. The
nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disk has no pain innervation.