Paravertebral ganglia

Definition

Paravertebral ganglia are a series of ganglia (clusters of nerve cell bodies) located on either side of the spinal column, part of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. They play a crucial role in relaying nerve signals from the spinal cord to specific organs and glands in the body.

Related terms

Autonomic Nervous System:

A part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary functions of the body such as heartbeat and digestion.

Sympathetic Division:

The part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for action, often referred to as the "fight or flight" response.

Neurotransmitters:

Chemicals released by neurons that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another or to an effector site in muscle or glandular tissue