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.
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, adjectiveWords nearby ganglion
Example sentences from the Web for ganglion
British Dictionary definitions for ganglion
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, adjectiveWord Origin for ganglion
C17: from Late Latin: swelling, from Greek: cystic tumour
Medical definitions for ganglion
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 ganglion
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.