gangli

Gangli is the plural form of ganglio in several Romance languages, notably Italian, used to denote a collection of nerve cell bodies found outside the central nervous system. In English, the corresponding plural is ganglia, while the singular is ganglion. In anatomy, ganglia serve as relay stations for nerve signals and are part of the peripheral nervous system.

Anatomically, ganglia are located along nerves or near the spinal cord in various regions. They consist of neuronal cell bodies, glial satellite cells, and connective tissue, sometimes enclosed by a capsule. Major categories include sensory (dorsal root) ganglia, which house sensory neurons bringing information from the periphery, and autonomic ganglia, which contain neurons of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions involved in involuntary control.

Functionally, ganglia process and relay neural information. They can modulate synaptic transmission, integrate peripheral signals, and provide a stepping-stone for signal transfer between the periphery and the central nervous system. Some ganglia act as immediate relay points, while others serve more complex integrative roles in neural pathways.

Clinical relevance varies by ganglion type. Ganglion cysts are common soft tissue lumps near joints or tendons, especially on the wrist, and are not true ganglia in a strict histological sense; they arise from synovial tissue or adjacent structures and may be observed or treated with aspiration or surgery if symptomatic. Enlarged or inflamed ganglia can occur in various neuropathies or inflammatory conditions.