paraganglion

A small, roundish body containing chromaffin cells; a number of such bodies may be found retroperitoneally near the aorta and in organs such as the kidney, liver, heart, and gonads. SYN: chromaffin body.

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para·gan·gli·on -'gaŋ-glē-ən n, pl -glia -glē-ə one of numerous collections of chromaffin tissue associated with the collateral and chain ganglia of the sympathetic nerves and similar in structure to the medulla of the adrenal glands

para·gan·gli·on·ic -.gaŋ-glē-'än-ik adj

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n.

one of the small oval masses of cells found in the walls of the ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system, near the spinal cord. They are chromaffin cells, like those of the adrenal gland, and may secrete adrenaline.

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para·gan·gli·on (par″ə-gangґgle-on) pl. paraganґglia. A collection of chromaffin cells, derived from neural ectoderm, occurring elsewhere than in the adrenal medulla, usually near the sympathetic ganglia and in relation to the aorta and its branches. Most, if not all, paraganglia secrete epinephrine or norepinephrine. Called also chromaffin body and pheochrome body.