Geniculate ganglion
Geniculate Ganglion
The Geniculate Ganglion (pronunciation: jeh-NICK-you-late GANG-lee-on) is a significant structure in the human body, particularly in the field of neurology and otolaryngology.
Etymology
The term "Geniculate" is derived from the Latin word 'geniculum' meaning 'a little knee', due to its bent structure. "Ganglion", on the other hand, is derived from the Greek word 'ganglion' meaning 'swelling', referring to the mass of nerve cell bodies.
Definition
The Geniculate Ganglion is a collection of nerve cell bodies (a ganglion) located in the facial canal, a bony structure in the skull. It is part of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), which controls the muscles of facial expression.
Function
The Geniculate Ganglion contains the cell bodies of neurons that carry taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue via the chorda tympani, and sensory information from the skin in the ear canal and behind the ear.
Related Terms
- Facial Nerve: The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve, or simply CN VII. It emerges from the brainstem between the pons and the medulla, and controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and oral cavity.
- Chorda Tympani: The chorda tympani is a nerve that branches off from the facial nerve inside the facial canal, just above the Geniculate Ganglion. It carries taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.
- Ganglion: A ganglion is a nerve cell cluster or a group of nerve cell bodies located in the autonomic nervous system and sensory system. Ganglia house the cell bodies of afferent nerves and efferent nerves.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Geniculate ganglion
- Wikipedia's article - Geniculate ganglion
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