GANGLION SPHENOPALATINUM Meaning and
Definition
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Ganglion sphenopalatinum is a specific anatomical structure located in the head and is part of the autonomic nervous system. It is also known as the sphenopalatine ganglion or pterygopalatine ganglion.
The ganglion sphenopalatinum is a small cluster of nerve cells located within the pterygopalatine fossa, which is a depression in the skull located behind the maxilla and below the sphenoid bone. It is positioned at the junction of the maxillary and sphenopalatine nerves, two peripheral nerves responsible for sensory and autonomic innervation of the head.
Functionally, the ganglion sphenopalatinum plays a crucial role in regulating various autonomic functions. It serves as a relay station for parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves, which control involuntary bodily functions such as tear production, blood flow regulation, nasal gland secretion, and vascular tone.
The ganglion sphenopalatinum also participates in pain transmission and modulation. It receives sensory information from facial structures, including the nose, teeth, and gums. Stimulating or blocking this ganglion can have therapeutic effects, such as reducing pain in certain conditions, like cluster headaches or trigeminal neuralgia.
Due to its anatomical location, the ganglion sphenopalatinum can be accessed via a minimally invasive procedure known as sphenopalatine ganglion block. This involves administering medication or an anesthetic agent directly to the ganglion, which can help in managing pain and related symptoms.
In summary, the ganglion sphenopalatinum is a small nerve cell cluster located in the head that performs important functions in autonomic control and pain modulation.
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Sphenopalatine g., Meckel's g., a small ganglion in the upper part of the pterygopalatine (sphenomaxillary) fossa; its sensory roots are the sphenopaatine nerves from the maxillary, its motor and sympathetic roots are joined together in the Vidian nerve; the ganglion gives off nerves to the nose, palate, and orbit.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GANGLION SPHENOPALATINUM
- ganglionsphenopalatinnum
- g anglion sphenopalatinum
- ga nglion sphenopalatinum
- gan glion sphenopalatinum
- gang lion sphenopalatinum
- gangl ion sphenopalatinum
- gangli on sphenopalatinum
- ganglio n sphenopalatinum
- ganglion sph enopalatinum
- ganglion sphe nopalatinum
- ganglion sphen opalatinum
- ganglion sphenopa latinum
- ganglion sphenopal atinum
- ganglion sphenopala tinum
- ganglion sphenopalat inum
- ganglion sphenopalati num
- ganglion sphenopalatin um
- ganglion sphenopalatinu m
Etymology of GANGLION SPHENOPALATINUM
The word "ganglion sphenopalatinum" is a medical term that combines multiple elements derived from different languages:
1. Ganglion: This word is derived from the Greek word "ganglion", meaning "knot" or "swelling". It refers to a mass of nerve tissue.
2. Spheno-: The prefix "spheno-" comes from the Greek word "sphen", which means "wedge". It is derived from the shape of the sphenoid bone, which is located behind the eye sockets.
3. Palatinum: This word is derived from the Latin word "palatinus", meaning "palatine". It refers to the palatine bone, which forms a part of the hard palate in the mouth.
