ˈgaŋglēən, -aiŋ- noun
( plural gan·glia -ēə ; also gan·glions )
Etymology: Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin, cystic tumor, from Greek, cystic tumor, mass of nerve tissue — more at gall (excrescence)
1.
a. : a small cystic tumor containing viscid fluid and connected either with a joint membrane or tendon sheath especially about the wrist or ankle
b. : a mass of nerve tissue containing nerve cells:
(1) : an aggregation of such cells forming an enlargement upon a nerve or upon two or more nerves at their point of junction or separation
(2) : a mass of gray matter within the brain or spinal cord : nucleus — see basal ganglion
2. : a center or focus especially of strength or energy
the central ganglion of the world's largest … chemical empire — J.W.Bellah