ganglion

noun gan·gli·on \ˈgaŋ-glē-ən\

medical : a mass of nerve cells

plural -glia \-glē-ə\ also gan·gli·ons

Full Definition of GANGLION

: a small cystic tumor connected either with a joint membrane or tendon sheath

a : a mass of nerve tissue containing cell bodies of neurons external to the brain or spinal cord; also : nucleus 2b

b : something likened to a nerve ganglion <a ganglion of cables and wires>

— gan·gli·on·at·ed \ˈgaŋ-glē-ə-ˌnā-təd\ adjective

— gan·gli·on·ic \ˌgaŋ-glē-ˈä-nik\ adjective

See ganglion defined for English-language learners

See ganglion defined for kids

Origin of GANGLION

Late Latin, from Greek

First Known Use: circa 1681

Rhymes with GANGLION

Anglian

GANGLION Defined for Kids

ganglion

noun gan·gli·on \ˈgaŋ-glē-ən\

plural gan·glia \-glē-ə\

Definition of GANGLION for Kids

: a mass of nerve cells especially outside the brain or spinal cord

Medical Dictionary

ganglion

noun gan·gli·on \ˈgaŋ-glē-ən\

plural -glia \-glē-ə\ also gan·gli·ons

Medical Definition of GANGLION

: a small cystic tumor (as on the back of the wrist) containing viscid fluid and connected either with a joint membrane or tendon sheath

a : a mass of nerve tissue containing cell bodies of neurons that is located outside the central nervous system and forms an enlargement upon a nerve or upon two or more nerves at their point of junction or separation b : a mass of gray matter within the brain or spinal cord : nucleus 2—see basal ganglion