ganglion
noun
gan·gli·on ˈgaŋ-glē-ən 
plural ganglia ˈgaŋ-glē-ə also ganglions
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
also : nucleus sense 2b
b
: something likened to a nerve ganglion
a ganglion of cables and wires
ganglionated
ˈgaŋ-glē-ə-ˌnā-təd
adjective ganglionic
ˌgaŋ-glē-ˈä-nik
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web And the retina’s exact output to the brain—the spatiotemporal patterns of electrical pulses generated by the ganglion cells—is unknown. 
Connie Chang Chinchio, Popular Mechanics, 25 Aug. 2022 The ganglion cells transmit the signal to the brain. Caroline Seydel, Forbes, 14 June 2021 Next, the researchers invented a special device to transform visual information from the external world into amber light that could be recognized by the ganglion cells. BostonGlobe.com, 24 May 2021 The ganglion cells then send the signals via the optic nerve to the brain. Amy Dockser Marcus, WSJ, 24 May 2021 But their eyes still have the ganglion cells that route these signals to the brain via the optic nerve. Jocelyn Kaiser, Science | AAAS, 24 May 2021 Recall that the wasp's first sting goes into the first thoracic ganglion, paralyzing the front legs during the initial attack. Kenneth C. Catania, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2021 Sure enough, the sting was directed into the ganglion. Kenneth C. Catania, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2021 So, the researchers damaged the optic nerve, then activated the three stem cell genes in the retinal ganglion cells. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 6 Dec. 2020 See More
Connie Chang Chinchio, Popular Mechanics, 25 Aug. 2022 The ganglion cells transmit the signal to the brain. Caroline Seydel, Forbes, 14 June 2021 Next, the researchers invented a special device to transform visual information from the external world into amber light that could be recognized by the ganglion cells. BostonGlobe.com, 24 May 2021 The ganglion cells then send the signals via the optic nerve to the brain. Amy Dockser Marcus, WSJ, 24 May 2021 But their eyes still have the ganglion cells that route these signals to the brain via the optic nerve. Jocelyn Kaiser, Science | AAAS, 24 May 2021 Recall that the wasp's first sting goes into the first thoracic ganglion, paralyzing the front legs during the initial attack. Kenneth C. Catania, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2021 Sure enough, the sting was directed into the ganglion. Kenneth C. Catania, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2021 So, the researchers damaged the optic nerve, then activated the three stem cell genes in the retinal ganglion cells. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 6 Dec. 2020 See More 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
Phrases Containing ganglion
Kids Definition
ganglion
noun
gan·gli·on ˈgaŋ-glē-ən
plural ganglia
-glē-ə
: a mass of nerve cells especially outside the brain or spinal cord
Medical Definition
ganglion
noun
gan·gli·on ˈgaŋ-glē-ən
plural ganglia -glē-ə also ganglions
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