ganglion

noun

gan·​gli·​on ˈgaŋ-glē-ən How to pronounce ganglion (audio)
plural ganglia ˈgaŋ-glē-ə How to pronounce ganglion (audio) also ganglions
1
: a small cystic tumor connected either with a joint membrane or tendon sheath
2
a
: a mass of nerve tissue containing cell bodies of neurons external to the brain or spinal cord
b
: something likened to a nerve ganglion
a ganglion of cables and wires
ganglionated adjective
ganglionic adjective

Examples of ganglion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Researchers say that happens when bright light enters the inner surface of the retina where neurons called retinal ganglion cells are located. Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 There are treatments that may help, such as smell training or a procedure known as a stellate ganglion block. Linda Carroll, NBC News, 22 Oct. 2024 What Causes Open-Angle Glaucoma? Open-angle glaucoma occurs as retinal ganglion cells in the back of the eye degrade and die. Mark Gurarie, Health, 3 Oct. 2024 But in today’s arthropods like insects, each segment has a neural center called a ganglion. Jason P. Dinh, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2022 See all Example Sentences for ganglion 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, borrowed from Greek ganglíon "tumor on a tendon, mass of nerve tissue (thought to resemble such tumors)," of obscure origin

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ganglion was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near ganglion

Cite this Entry

“Ganglion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ganglion. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ganglion

noun
gan·​gli·​on ˈgaŋ-glē-ən How to pronounce ganglion (audio)
plural ganglia -glē-ə How to pronounce ganglion (audio) also ganglions
: a mass of nerve tissue lying outside the brain or spinal cord and containing neurons
ganglionic adjective

Medical Definition

ganglion

noun
gan·​gli·​on ˈgaŋ-glē-ən How to pronounce ganglion (audio)
plural ganglia -glē-ə How to pronounce ganglion (audio) also ganglions
1
: a small cystic tumor (as on the back of the wrist) containing viscid fluid and connected either with a joint membrane or tendon sheath
2
a
: a mass of nerve tissue containing cell bodies of neurons that is located outside the central nervous system and forms an enlargement upon a nerve or upon two or more nerves at their point of junction or separation
b
: a mass of gray matter within the brain or spinal cord : nucleus sense 2 see basal ganglion

More from Merriam-Webster on ganglion

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