Final answer:
The correct plural form of 'ganglion,' a term for a cyst or collection of nerve cells outside the brain and spinal cord, is 'ganglia.' Ganglia serve as relay points in the peripheral nervous system and can be sensory or autonomic. This highlights the structure and function of nervous tissue within the body's nervous system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term ganglion refers to a cyst or collection of nerve cells located outside the brain and spinal cord, which serves as a relay point for messages transmitted through the nerves of the peripheral nervous system. The plural form of ganglion is ganglia. Ganglia can be categorized mainly into two types: sensory ganglia and autonomic ganglia. Sensory ganglia contain unipolar sensory neurons and can be found on the dorsal root of all spinal nerves and are associated with many of the cranial nerves. Autonomic ganglia are present in the sympathetic chain or the associated paravertebral or prevertebral ganglia, or in terminal ganglia close to or inside the organs controlled by the autonomic nervous system.
In contrast to ganglia of the peripheral nervous system, clusters of neuron cell bodies in the central nervous system are referred to as nuclei. Confusion can arise as the term nucleus has several meanings in anatomy and physiology, including the center of an atom, the center of a cell, where DNA is found, and a central location of function in the CNS.
The structure of the central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, where the cerebral cortex is the outermost layer of gray matter in the brain responsible for conscious perception. The central nervous system also contains the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which acts as a circulatory medium produced by ependymal cells in the choroid plexus by filtering the blood.
Moreover, disorders of the nervous system can occur during early embryonic development, such as spina bifida, which is a defect resulting from improper closure of the neural tube. Proper development of the neural tube is critical for not just the formation of the nervous system but also the surrounding tissues.
To summarize, ganglia (plural: ganglia) and bundles of axons (nerves) that reside outside of the central nervous system play crucial roles in transmitting signals within the peripheral nervous system. Understanding the structures and functions of the nervous system is vital for studying disorders, treatments, and the neurological basis for human function.