ganglion

[ gang-glee-uhn ]

noun

, plural gan·gli·a [gang, -glee-, uh], gan·gli·ons.

1. Anatomy.
   1. a mass of nerve tissue existing outside the central nervous system.
   2. any of certain masses of gray matter in the brain, as the basal ganglia.
2. Pathology. a cyst or enlargement in connection with the sheath of a tendon, usually at the wrist.
3. a center of intellectual or industrial force, activity, etc.

ganglion

/ ˈɡæŋɡlɪən /

noun

1. an encapsulated collection of nerve-cell bodies, usually located outside the brain and spinal cord
2. any concentration of energy, activity, or strength
3. a cystic tumour on a tendon sheath or joint capsule

ganglion

/ găng′glē-ən /

, Plural ganglia

1. A compact group of neurons enclosed by connective tissue and having a specific function. In invertebrate animals, pairs of ganglia occur at intervals along the axis of the body, with the forwardmost pair functioning like a brain. In vertebrates, ganglia are usually located outside the brain or spinal cord, where they regulate the functioning of the body's organs and glands as part of the autonomic nervous system.

Derived Forms

• ˌgangliˈonic, adjective
• ˈganglial, adjective

Other Words From

• gangli·al gangli·ar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ganglion¹

1675–85; < Late Latin: a type of swelling < Greek gánglion a tumor under the skin, on or near a tendon

Word History and Origins

Origin of ganglion¹

C17: from Late Latin: swelling, from Greek: cystic tumour

Example Sentences

Its additional role, say the researchers, may shift from trash sorter to signal messenger in dorsal root ganglion neurons -- cells that convey sensory signals from nerve cells close to the skin to the central nervous system.

From Science Daily

If short-wavelength light activates the ganglion cells, they signal to the internal clock that it is daytime.

From Science Daily

"Rather, our results support the findings of many other studies that the light-sensitive ganglion cells are most important for the human internal clock," says the scientist.

From Science Daily

The electrical nerve impulses are finally transmitted to ganglion cells in the retina and then via the optic nerve to the visual cortex in the brain.

From Science Daily

"However, the light-sensitive ganglion cells also receive information from the cones. This raises the question of whether the cones, and thereby the light colour, also influence the internal clock. After all, the most striking changes in brightness and light colour occur at sunrise and sunset, marking the beginning and end of a day," says Dr. Christine Blume.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• command post
• focal point
• headquarters
• hotbed