How Do You Spell PREGANGLIONIC?

Pronunciation: [pɹɪɡˌaŋɡlɪˈɒnɪk] (IPA)

The word "preganglionic" is a medical term that refers to the nerve fibers originating from the central nervous system and terminating at the ganglia. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The initial "pr" sound is represented by the /p/ sound, followed by the /r/ sound. The "e" in "pre" is pronounced as /ɛ/, and "ganglionic" is pronounced as /ɡæŋɡliˈɑnɪk/. The stress is on the second syllable, which is pronounced as /ɡæŋɡli/.

PREGANGLIONIC Meaning and Definition

1. Preganglionic is an adjective that refers to the part of the nervous system that occurs or is located before a ganglion. In the field of anatomy and physiology, the nervous system is divided into two major components: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS is further divided into the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

   The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate, breathing, and digestion. It is further divided into two branches: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic division is responsible for the body's "fight-or-flight" response, activating the body during stress or danger, while the parasympathetic division promotes relaxation and the conservation of energy.

   The term "preganglionic" commonly refers to the nerve fibers that transmit signals from the spinal cord or brainstem to a ganglion, which is a specialized collection of nerve cell bodies located outside the CNS. These preganglionic fibers are part of the autonomic nervous system, either sympathetic or parasympathetic, and carry impulses to synapse with postganglionic neurons in ganglia.

   In summary, when used in anatomy and physiology, "preganglionic" pertains to nerve fibers or functions that occur prior to reaching a ganglion. Understanding the preganglionic system is essential in comprehending the complex workings of the autonomic nervous system and its impact on various bodily functions.

2. Anterior to or preceding a ganglion; noting especially the efferent visceral fibers of a spinal neurone terminating in a sympathetic ganglion.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PREGANGLIONIC

• Pariganglionic
• pregnaglionic
• preglangionic

Etymology of PREGANGLIONIC

The word "preganglionic" is derived from two roots: "pre" and "ganglion", along with the suffix "-ic".

1. "Pre-" is a prefix derived from Latin meaning "before" or "in front of". In medical terminology, it often implies "preceding" or "prior to" a certain stage or process.

2. "Ganglion" comes from the Greek word "ganglion", meaning "knot" or "swelling". It refers to a cluster of nerve cell bodies located outside the brain and spinal cord.

3. The suffix "-ic" is a commonly used suffix in English that is derived from the Latin suffix "-icus" and is used to form adjectives. In this case, it signifies "relating to" or "pertaining to".