Final answer:
The term for the ganglia outside the vertebral column in the sympathetic nervous system is 'sympathetic chain ganglia', which are part of the autonomic nervous system critical for the 'fight-or-flight' response.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for the chain of ganglia in the sympathetic nervous system that lie right outside the vertebral column is a) sympathetic chain ganglia.
The sympathetic chain ganglia are autonomic ganglia forming a series adjacent to the vertebral column. They play a crucial role in the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response. Each ganglion in the chain receives input from central sympathetic neurons, and their neurons project to various organs throughout the body.
These ganglia regulate important homeostatic mechanisms by affecting the heart rate, respiratory rate, and many other functions. The other major categories of autonomic ganglia include paravertebral ganglia, located in the cervical region, and prevertebral ganglia, which lie anterior to the vertebral column and serve similar purposes.