Ganglion

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(Redirected from Ganglia)

High magnification image of a ganglion showing connective tissue structures
Developing dorsal root ganglion in a chicken embryo (day 7)

Ganglion (plural: ganglia) is a structure containing a collection of neuron cell bodies located in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Ganglia serve as relay points and processing stations for neural signals and are distinct from nuclei, which are clusters of neuron cell bodies located within the central nervous system (CNS).

Overview[edit | edit source]

In the peripheral nervous system, ganglia are classified based on their anatomical and functional context:

These ganglia are responsible for transmitting autonomic signals from the CNS to various organs, muscles, and glands.

Structure[edit | edit source]

Ganglia are composed primarily of:

These components are often bundled together, and ganglia may interconnect with each other to form complex networks known as plexuses. These structures act as important relay centers between the CNS and peripheral target tissues.

Types of Ganglia in Vertebrates[edit | edit source]

Among vertebrates, ganglia are broadly categorized into three major types:

Neural Pathways[edit | edit source]

In the autonomic nervous system, signal transmission follows a two-neuron chain:

Pseudoganglion[edit | edit source]

A pseudoganglion resembles a true ganglion in appearance but lacks neuron cell bodies. It consists only of nerve fibers and supportive connective tissue, and thus does not perform the same integrative functions as true ganglia.

Related Concepts[edit | edit source]

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