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Glite Dictionary
autonomic ganglion

autonomic ganglion

7.3
A group of nerve cells that sends signals to internal organs such as the stomach and heart
  • noun
  • /ˌɔːtəˈnɑːmɪk ˈɡæŋɡliən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ganglio autónomo
  • Researchers studied the structure of a parasympathetic autonomic ganglion under the microscope.

Examples

  • The neurotransmitters are released at the autonomic ganglion before reaching the target organ.

  • Damage to an autonomic ganglion can disrupt normal function of the digestive system.

  • The autonomic ganglion plays a crucial role in the nervous system.

  • Many autonomic ganglia are involved in regulating heart rate.

  • The autonomic ganglion plays a crucial role in transmitting signals to the heart.

  • Within the autonomic ganglion, nerve cell bodies help regulate digestion.

  • He studied the function of the autonomic ganglion in the human nervous system.

Surface Forms

autonomic ganglion singular
autonomic ganglia plural

Morphology

autonomic + ganglion

The phrase is a straightforward composition: 'autonomic' (relating to involuntary physiological regulation) modifies 'ganglion' (a mass of nerve cells), so the combined meaning — a ganglion belonging to the autonomic nervous system that relays signals — follows directly from the constituents. Although technical, this is a literal, compositional medical term and parallels similar constructions across languages, so a learner who knows both words can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Autonomic ganglion comes from older words: autonomic means 'works by itself' and ganglion originally meant a 'knot' or small group. Think of a small knot or station of nerve cells that 'passes messages' to the body's organs, so the name refers to a group of nerve cells that 'relays signals' to internal organs.