ganglion
[ gang-glee-uh n ]
/ ˈgæŋ gli ən /
|
noun, plural gan·gli·a [gang-glee-uh] /ˈgæŋ gli ə/, gan·gli·ons.
Anatomy.
- a mass of nerve tissue existing outside the central nervous system.
- any of certain masses of gray matter in the brain, as the basal ganglia.
Pathology. a cyst or enlargement in connection with the sheath of a tendon, usually at the wrist.
a center of intellectual or industrial force, activity, etc.
RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
Origin of ganglion
1675–85; < Late Latin: a type of swelling < Greek gánglion a tumor under the skin, on or near a tendon
Related forms
gan·gli·al, gan·gli·ar, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for ganglia
British Dictionary definitions for ganglia
ganglion
/ (ˈɡæŋɡlɪən) /
noun plural -glia (-ɡlɪə) or -glions
an encapsulated collection of nerve-cell bodies, usually located outside the brain and spinal cord
any concentration of energy, activity, or strength
a cystic tumour on a tendon sheath or joint capsule
Derived Forms
ganglial or gangliar, adjectiveganglionic or gangliated, adjectiveWord Origin for ganglion
C17: from Late Latin: swelling, from Greek: cystic tumour
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medicine definitions for ganglia
ganglion
[ găng′glē-ən ]
n. pl. gan•gli•ons
A group of nerve cells forming a nerve center, especially one located outside the brain or spinal cord.neuroganglion
A benign tumorlike cyst containing mucopolysaccharide-rich fluid enclosed within fibrous tissue and usually attached to a tendon sheath in the hand, wrist, or foot.myxoid cyst synovial cyst
Related forms
gan′gli•al adj.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for ganglia
ganglion
[ găng′glē-ən ]
Plural ganglia
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.