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

The team targeted ganglion cells, the nexus between the eyes and the brain.

From Singularity Hub 

These signals are passed through a neural network to the eye-brain liaison, ganglion cells.

From Singularity Hub 

The ganglion cells fire messages to visual centers in the brain.

From Science News

The remaining bipolar cells and ganglion cells stick around longer, making those cells prime targets for optogenetic therapy.

From Science News

They process visual information and pass signals on to ganglion cells in the third layer.

From Science News

There must therefore be an isolated ganglion in front and two ganglia, close to each other, about two-fifths of an inch back.

From Project Gutenberg

Do they actually wound with their dirks the ganglion whose influence is to be done away with?

From Project Gutenberg

Do they confine themselves to lodging their drop of poison on the ganglion, or at all events in its immediate neighbourhood?

From Project Gutenberg

A cinder enters the eye, the report reaches a ganglion, a motor impulse is sent forth, and the eyelid closes.

From Project Gutenberg

A single ganglion represents the nervous system, placed between the two apertures.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• command post
• focal point
• headquarters
• hotbed