ganglion cell

ganglion cell
    n 1: a nerve cell whose body is outside the central nervous
         system; "damage to ganglion cells in the retina may play a
         role in the development of glaucoma" [syn: {ganglion cell},
         {gangliocyte}]
    

Ganglion \Gan"gli*on\, n.; pl. L. {Ganglia}, E. {Ganglions}. [L.
   ganglion a sort of swelling or excrescence, a tumor under the
   skin, Gr. ?: cf. F. ganglion.]
   1. (Anat.)
      (a) A mass or knot of nervous matter, including nerve
          cells, usually forming an enlargement in the course of
          a nerve.
      (b) A node, or gland in the lymphatic system; as, a
          lymphatic ganglion.
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   2. (Med.) A globular, hard, indolent tumor, situated
      somewhere on a tendon, and commonly formed by the effusion
      of a viscid fluid into it; -- called also {weeping sinew}.
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   {Ganglion cell}, a nerve cell. See Illust. under {Bipolar}.
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nerve \nerve\ (n[~e]rv), n. [OE. nerfe, F. nerf, L. nervus, akin
   to Gr. ney^ron sinew, nerve; cf. neyra` string, bowstring;
   perh. akin to E. needle. Cf. {Neuralgia}.]
   1. (Anat.) One of the whitish and elastic bundles of fibers,
      with the accompanying tissues, which transmit nervous
      impulses between nerve centers and various parts of the
      animal body.
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   Note: An ordinary nerve is made up of several bundles of
         nerve fibers, each bundle inclosed in a special sheath
         (the perineurium) and all bound together in a
         connective tissue sheath and framework (the epineurium)
         containing blood vessels and lymphatics.
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   2. A sinew or a tendon. --Pope.
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   3. Physical force or steadiness; muscular power and control;
      constitutional vigor.
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            he led me on to mightiest deeds,
            Above the nerve of mortal arm.        --Milton.
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   4. Steadiness and firmness of mind; self-command in personal
      danger, or under suffering; unshaken courage and
      endurance; coolness; pluck; resolution.
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   5. Audacity; assurance. [Slang]
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   6. (Bot.) One of the principal fibrovascular bundles or ribs
      of a leaf, especially when these extend straight from the
      base or the midrib of the leaf.
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   7. (Zool.) One of the nervures, or veins, in the wings of
      insects.
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   {Nerve cell} (Anat.), a neuron, one of the nucleated cells
      with which nerve fibers are connected; a {ganglion cell}
      is one type of nerve cell.

   {Nerve fiber} (Anat.), one of the fibers of which nerves are
      made up. These fibers are either {medullated} or
      {nonmedullated}. In both kinds the essential part is the
      translucent threadlike axis cylinder which is continuous
      the whole length of the fiber.

   {Nerve stretching} (Med.), the operation of stretching a
      nerve in order to remedy diseases such as tetanus, which
      are supposed to be influenced by the condition of the
      nerve or its connections.
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