PARASYMPATHETIC GANGLIA Meaning and
Definition
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Parasympathetic Ganglia refer to clusters of nerve cell bodies, also known as ganglia, that are part of the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is one of the components of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for regulating various bodily functions, especially during times of rest and relaxation.
These ganglia are located outside the spinal cord and close to or within the organs they innervate. They are classified as either terminal or intramural ganglia based on their location within the target organ. Terminal ganglia are found near the effector organs, such as smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, and glands, while intramural ganglia are embedded within the walls of the target organ itself.
The parasympathetic ganglia play a crucial role in transmitting neural signals from the central nervous system to the effector organs. When activated, they release neurotransmitters, predominantly acetylcholine, which bind to specific receptors located on the target organs. This binding triggers various responses, including relaxation of smooth muscles, decreased heart rate, increased digestion and secretion in the gastrointestinal tract, or stimulation of glandular secretion.
Overall, the function of parasympathetic ganglia is to regulate and maintain homeostasis in the body by controlling activities that promote rest, digestion, and other essential functions. They work in contrast to the sympathetic ganglia, which are responsible for the "fight-or-flight" response in the body. The balance between parasympathetic and sympathetic activity is critical for overall well-being and optimal bodily function.
Common Misspellings for PARASYMPATHETIC GANGLIA
- oarasympathetic ganglia
- larasympathetic ganglia
- -arasympathetic ganglia
- 0arasympathetic ganglia
- pzrasympathetic ganglia
- psrasympathetic ganglia
- pwrasympathetic ganglia
- pqrasympathetic ganglia
- paeasympathetic ganglia
- padasympathetic ganglia
- pafasympathetic ganglia
- patasympathetic ganglia
- pa5asympathetic ganglia
- pa4asympathetic ganglia
- parzsympathetic ganglia
- parssympathetic ganglia
- parwsympathetic ganglia
- parqsympathetic ganglia
- paraaympathetic ganglia
- parazympathetic ganglia
Etymology of PARASYMPATHETIC GANGLIA
The word "parasympathetic" comes from the combination of two Greek terms: "para" meaning "alongside" or "beside", and "sympathetic" which refers to the activation of the body's sympathetic nervous system. The term "sympathetic" comes from the Greek word "sympatheia", meaning "feeling with" or "affection".
The word "ganglia" originates from the Greek word "ganglion", meaning "knot" or "swelling". It refers to a cluster of nerve cell bodies outside the central nervous system.
Therefore, the term "parasympathetic ganglia" refers to the collection of nerve cell bodies found alongside or adjacent to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's rest and digestion functions.
