Objective To explore a new efficient extraction method of dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) of rats by exploring and extracting DRGs reversely along the nerve traveling pathway. Methods The DRGs were extracted by the traditional method of opening the intervertebral foramina and the new method , extracting DRGs reversely along the nerve traveling pathway, respectively. The time consuming and the number of intact DRGs obtained with these two method were compared. Results The number of intact DRGs (L3 -5 segments, both sides) extracted from each rat with the traditional method was (3.08 ±1.31), and the average time consuming of each DRG was (5.58 ±1.21) min. As for the new method , the number of intact DRGs extracted from each rat was (4.29 ± 1.08), and the average time consuming was (1.69 ±0.91) min, significantly better than that of the traditional method ( P < 0.05 for both). Conclusions The new method of exploring and extracting DRGs reversely along the nerve traveling pathway is more efficient for obtaining intact DRGs of rats, providing more useful tissue materials for subsequent culture and morphological studies of DRG cells.