gânglios

Gânglios, also known as ganglia, are clusters of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system. These structures are essential components of the peripheral nervous system, acting as relay stations for nerve signals. Each ganglion contains a collection of neurons, which are the basic functional units of the nervous system responsible for transmitting information. The cell bodies within a ganglion are often surrounded by supporting glial cells.

There are two main types of ganglia: sensory ganglia and autonomic ganglia. Sensory ganglia, such as the dorsal root ganglia, house the cell bodies of sensory neurons that transmit information from the body's sensory receptors to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Autonomic ganglia, on the other hand, are part of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions like heart rate, digestion, and respiration. These ganglia contain the cell bodies of postganglionic neurons that innervate target organs.

The arrangement and function of ganglia vary depending on their location and the specific neural pathway they are part of. They play a critical role in processing and relaying sensory input and in coordinating the activity of internal organs. Understanding the structure and function of ganglia is fundamental to comprehending how the nervous system operates.