ganglion

Aggregate of nerve-cell bodies outside the central nervous system (CNS). The spinal ganglion contains the nerve-cell bodies of the nerve fibres that carry impulses toward the CNS (afferent neurons in dorsal root ganglia) or away from it (efferent neurons in ventral root ganglia).

Learn more about ganglion with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Neurology

In neurological contexts, ganglia are composed mainly of somata and dendritic structures that often interconnect with other ganglia to form a complex system of ganglia known as a plexus. Ganglia provide relay points and intermediary connections between different neurological structures in the body, such as the peripheral and central nervous systems.

There are two major groups of ganglia:

• dorsal root ganglia (also known as the spinal ganglia) - contain the cell bodies of sensory (afferent) nerves
• autonomic ganglia - contain the cell bodies of autonomic nerves.

In the autonomic nervous system, fibers from the central nervous system to the ganglia are known as preganglionic fibers, while those from the ganglia to the effector organ are called postganglionic fibers.

Basal ganglia

However, in the brain (part of the central nervous system), the "basal ganglia" is a group of nuclei interconnected with the cerebral cortex, thalamus and brainstem, associated with a variety of functions: motor control, cognition, emotions and learning.

Partly due to this ambiguity, the Terminologia Anatomica recommends using the term "basal nuclei" instead of "basal ganglia".

See also

• Dorsal root ganglion
• Ganglion cell
• Ganglion cyst
• Nervous system
• Neuron

References