Ganglia Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ง
ganglia
[หษกรฆลษกliษ ]
Definition
anatomy, biology
Ganglia are clusters of nerve cell bodies located in the peripheral nervous system. They serve as relay points for transmitting signals between different parts of the nervous system. Ganglia play a critical role in processing sensory information and coordinating motor responses.
Synonyms
nerve center, nerve knot, node.
Examples of usage
- The sensory ganglia are responsible for sending signals from the periphery to the brain.
- In patients with certain neurological disorders, ganglia may become damaged, affecting motor control.
- Ganglia can be found near the spinal cord, contributing to reflex actions.
Translations
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Origin of 'ganglia'
The word 'ganglia' comes from the Greek word 'ganglion', which means 'knot' or 'swelling'. The term was later adopted into Latin and eventually made its way into English in the 17th century. Initially used to describe the anatomical structures resembling knots due to their clustered formations, 'ganglia' has evolved in its application, covering various types of nerve clusters in both peripheral and central nervous systems. Over time, the usage of the term has expanded in neuroscience, serving to describe not only anatomical structures but also functional aspects of neural processing.