Ganglionjai

Ganglionjai, also known as ganglia impar or coccygeal ganglion, is a small collection of nerve cells located at the very tip of the sympathetic nervous system. It is situated anterior to the sacrococcygeal joint, a junction between the sacrum and the coccyx (tailbone). This ganglion is unique in that it is the terminal point of the sympathetic chain, representing a single, unpaired structure rather than the paired chains found higher up.

The primary function of the ganglion impar is to transmit pain signals from the pelvic region, including the perineum, distal rectum, anus, distal urethra, distal vagina, and vulva. It plays a role in the sympathetic innervation of these areas, although the exact extent of its contribution is still a subject of research. Due to its involvement in pain transmission, the ganglion impar is a target for certain pain management interventions.

Procedures such as a ganglion impar block are performed by injecting local anesthetic and/or steroids near the ganglion. This is typically done to alleviate chronic pain conditions originating from the pelvic organs, such as coccydynia (tailbone pain), chronic prostatitis, interstitial cystitis, and certain types of vulvodynia or proctalgia. The aim of the block is to interrupt the pain signals traveling through the ganglion, providing temporary or long-term relief for patients suffering from these debilitating conditions.