ganglion

[ gang-glee-uh n ]
/ ˈgæŋ gli ən /

noun, plural gan·gli·a [gang-glee-uh] /ˈgæŋ gli ə/, gan·gli·ons.

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.
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.

Origin of ganglion

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

OTHER WORDS FROM ganglion

gan·gli·al, gan·gli·ar, adjective

Words nearby ganglion

gangliocyte, gangliocytoma, ganglioglioma, gangliolysis, ganglioma, ganglion, ganglion cell, ganglion impar, ganglion of autonomic plexuses, ganglion of sympathetic trunk, ganglionated

Words related to ganglia

headquarters, hotbed, core, focus, heart, hub, HQ, epicenter, switchboard

Example sentences 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 of ganglion

ganglial or gangliar, adjective ganglionic or gangliated, adjective

Word Origin for ganglion

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

Medical 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

Other words from ganglion

gan′gli•al adj.

Scientific 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.