autonomic ganglia

(noun)

Clusters of neuronal cell bodies and their dendrites that are a junction between the autonomic nerves originating from the central nervous system and the autonomic nerves innervating their target organs in the periphery.

Related Terms

  • choline acetyltransferase
  • nicotinic receptors

Examples of autonomic ganglia in the following topics:

  • Parasympathetic (Craniosacral) Division

    • Parasympathetic ganglia are the autonomic ganglia of the parasympathetic nervous system that lie near or within the organs they innervate.
    • Parasympathetic ganglia are the autonomic ganglia of the parasympathetic nervous system, blue fibers).
    • Most are small terminal ganglia or intramural ganglia, so named because they lie near or within (respectively) the organs they innervate.
    • The parasympathetic nervous system, shown in blue, is a division of the autonomic nervous system.
    • Describe features of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
  • Autonomic Ganglia

    • Autonomic ganglia are clusters of neuron cell bodies that transmit sensory signals from the periphery to the integration centers in the CNS.
    • Autonomic ganglia are clusters of neuronal cell bodies and their dendrites.
    • They are essentially a junction between autonomic nerves originating from the central nervous system and autonomic nerves innervating their target organs in the periphery.
    • These include the celiac ganglia, superior mesenteric ganglia, and inferior mesenteric ganglia.
    • Parasympathetic ganglia are the autonomic ganglia of the parasympathetic nervous system.
  • Sympathetic Nervous System

    • Sympathetic ganglia are the ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system that initiate fight-or-flight, stress-mediated responses.
    • The sympathetic ganglia are the ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system (the red lines in the diagram below).
    • These include the celiac ganglia, the superior mesenteric ganglia, and the inferior mesenteric ganglia.
    • The parasympathetic nervous system, shown in blue, is a division of the autonomic nervous system.
    • Describe the features of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
  • Preganglionic Neurons

    • In the autonomic nervous system (ANS), nerve fibers that connect the central nervous system to ganglia are known as preganglionic fibers.
    • In the autonomic nervous system (ANS), fibers from the central nervous system to the ganglion are known as preganglionic fibers.
    • The paravertebral ganglia of the sympathetic chain (these run on either side of the vertebral bodies), cervical ganglia, thoracic ganglia, rostral lumbar ganglia, caudal lumbar ganglia, and pelvic ganglia.
    • The prevertebral ganglia celiac ganglion, aorticorenal ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion, inferior mesenteric ganglion.
    • The site of synapse formation and this divergence for both the sympathetic and parasympathetic preganglionic neurons does, however, occur within ganglia situated within the peripheral nervous system.
  • Autonomic Plexuses

    • Autonomic plexuses are formed from sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers that innervate and regulate the overall activity of visceral organs.
    • Autonomic plexuses are formed from sympathetic postganglionic axons, parasympathetic preganglionic axons, and some visceral sensory axons.
    • The pulmonary plexus is an autonomic plexus formed from pulmonary branches of vagus nerve and the sympathetic trunk.
    • The esophageal plexus and the cardiac plexus contain the same types of fibers and are both considered thoracic autonomic plexus(es).
    • The abdominal aortic plexus is formed by branches derived, on either side, from the celiac plexus and ganglia, and receives filaments from some of the lumbar ganglia.
  • Disorders of the Basal Ganglia

    • Basal ganglia disease refers to physical dysfunctions that occur when basal ganglia fail to suppress unwanted movements.
    • An example of a hypokinetic basal ganglia disease is Parkinsonism.
    • The basal ganglia is a collective group of structures in the brain .
    • Other motor deficits and common non-motor features of Parkinson's, such as autonomic dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and gait/balance difficulties, are thought to result from widespread progressive pathological changes commencing in the lower brain stem and ascending to the midbrain, amygdala, thalamus, and ultimately the cerebral cortex.
    • This is a diagram of the main circuits of the basal ganglia.
  • Postganglionic Neurons

    • In the autonomic nervous system, fibers from the ganglion to the effector organ are called postganglionic fibers.
    • In the autonomic nervous system, fibers from the ganglion to the effector organ are called postganglionic fibers.
    • Presynaptic nerves' axons terminate in either the paravertebral ganglia or prevertebral ganglia.
    • Their axons continue away from the CNS to synapse at an autonomic ganglion close to the organ of innervation.
    • In the autonomic nervous system, preganglionic fibers (shown in light blue) carry information from the CNS to the ganglion.
  • Clusters of Neuronal Cell Bodies

    • One exception is the basal ganglia which are located not in the periphery but rather in the forebrain.
    • Ganglia are composed mainly of neuron cell bodies (somata) and dendritic structures.
    • Satellite glial cells (SGCs) also surround neuron cell bodies within ganglia.
    • SGCs have been found to hold a variety of roles, including control over the microenvironment of sympathetic ganglia.
    • Satellite glial cells are expressed throughout the sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia in their respective nervous system divisions.
  • Enteric Nervous System

    • The ENS is capable of autonomous functions such as the coordination of reflexes.
    • The neurons of the ENS are collected into two types of ganglia: myenteric (Auerbach's) and submucosal (Meissner's) plexuses.
    • These tissues also send information back to the sympathetic pre-vertebral ganglia, the spinal cord, and the brain stem .
    • The enteric nervous system can operate autonomously.
    • An illustration of neural control of the gut wall by the autonomic nervous system and the enteric nervous system.
  • Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

    • The autonomic nervous system is a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls visceral functions such as heart rate and digestion.
    • These have been found to be integral in autonomic function, particularly in the gut and the lungs.
    • The enteric nervous system is sometimes considered part of the autonomic nervous system, and sometimes considered an independent system.
    • The fibers originate in the sympathetic ganglia of T-5 to L-2 and terminate mainly on the enteric plexuses, but also a few nerves terminate in the mucosa it self.
    • An illustration of neural control of the gut wall by the autonomic nervous system and the enteric nervous system.
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