Varicella zoster virus (VZV) lies dormant in which type of nerve?

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is known to establish latency in the sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia after causing chickenpox (varicella) during the initial infection. Following the resolution of the acute illness, the virus remains dormant within the nerve cell bodies of these sensory nerves. Upon reactivation, which typically occurs later in life, the virus can lead to herpes zoster (shingles), a painful condition characterized by a dermatomal rash.

While cranial nerves can have sensory components, the specific location associated with VZV latency is the dorsal root ganglia, which are primarily composed of sensory neurons that relay information from the periphery to the spinal cord. Motor nerves, on the other hand, do not harbor the virus because they are involved in transmitting signals from the central nervous system to muscles and lack the necessary environment for viral dormancy. Therefore, the correct choice emphasizes the direct association of VZV with the sensory pathways involved in the dorsal root ganglia.