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DictionaryganglionNerve cell cluster
noun

ganglion

GANG-glee-un/ˈɡæŋɡliən/

A cluster of nerve cell bodies outside the central nervous system.

A sensory ganglion contains nerve cell bodies outside the spinal cord.

A text-free anatomical cutaway of a spinal dorsal-root ganglion, showing a compact cluster of nerve-cell bodies within a swelling clearly outside the spinal cord.
Etymology
ganglionGreekswelling, nerve bundle

According to Galen, ganglion properly meant “anything gathered into a ball,” and he used it for a nerve bundle. That rounded-cluster image connects the swelling sense with the anatomical meaning.

In context

Ninja Nerd12:02
this inferior mesenteric ganglion has cell bodies of the post ganglionic motor neurons
Male Reproductive System | Erection & Ejaculation

More examples

  • Sensory signals pass through the ganglion toward the spinal cord.
  • The diagram shows several ganglia along the sympathetic chain.
  • Under the microscope, nerve cell bodies are visible in the ganglion.

Forms

ganglion · ganglia · ganglions

ganglionic adjective — Relating to clusters of nerve cell bodies.