Ganglia are collections of cell bodies outside the CNS, for sensory or autonomic nerves.

• Outside the spinal cord, locate and examine a spinal or dorsal root ganglion
• Identify the large neurons (which are sensory),
• The glial satellite cells surrounding each neuron
• The CT covering the entire ganglion.

What is the significance of Nissl substance?

What is the function of the satellite cells?
 

Clinical note:  The herpes zoster virus, acquired during childhood chicken pox, can remain dormant in neurons of sensory ganglia and can be reactivated in older individuals, migrating along axons to the skin and producing blisters and a painful rash known as shingles. Although skin symptoms usually heal within weeks, the pain (post-herpetic neuralgia) may persist for many months.

Examine an sympathetic ganglion and identify the same structures just found in the sensory ganglion.

What are similarities and differences between an autonomic ganglion and a spinal ganglion?

Tell me more about sensory receptors.