Spinal ganglia
Spinal Ganglia
Spinal ganglia (pronunciation: /ˈspaɪnəl ˈɡæŋgliə/), also known as dorsal root ganglia (DRG), are clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, located along the spinal cord. They are part of the peripheral nervous system and play a crucial role in transmitting sensory information from the periphery to the central nervous system.
Etymology
The term "spinal ganglia" is derived from the Latin spina, meaning "spine", and the Greek ganglion, meaning "knot". This reflects the location and appearance of these structures along the spinal cord.
Structure
Spinal ganglia are round or oval in shape and are located on the dorsal root of each spinal nerve. Each ganglion contains the cell bodies of sensory neurons, which are pseudounipolar neurons. This means they have a single process that divides into two branches: one that carries information to the peripheral tissues, and another that carries information to the spinal cord.
Function
The primary function of the spinal ganglia is to transmit sensory information from the peripheral tissues to the central nervous system. This includes information about touch, temperature, pain, and body position. The sensory neurons in the ganglia convert these stimuli into electrical signals that are then transmitted to the brain for interpretation.
Related Terms
- Neuron: A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system.
- Peripheral nervous system: The part of the nervous system that consists of the nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord.
- Central nervous system: The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.
- Pseudounipolar neuron: A type of neuron with a single process that divides into two branches.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Spinal ganglia
- Wikipedia's article - Spinal ganglia
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