Paraganglion

Paragangliona
Paraganglion of gallbladder
Gray's	subject #277 1277
Code	TH H3.08.02.8.00001

A paraganglion (pl. paraganglia) or chromaffin body is a small group of chromaphil cells in the abdomen. Paraganglia are connected with the ganglia of the sympathetic trunk and the ganglia of the celiac, renal, suprarenal, aortic and hypogastric plexuses. They are concentrated near the suprarenal glands and essentially function the same way as the suprarenal medulla.

They are sometimes found in connection with the ganglia of other sympathetic plexuses.

None have been found with the sympathetic ganglia associated with the branches of the trigeminal nerve.

Nonchromaffin paraganglia include aortic bodies and the carotid body.

Pathology

Tumors of the paraganlionic tissues are known as paragangliomas and can occur at a number of sites throughout the body. These may or may not be hormonally active. Paragangliomas of the skullbase and neck are often referred to as glomus tumors (glomus tympanicum, glomus jugulare, glomus vagale). Paragangliomas of the adrenal gland are known as pheochromocytomas. Hormonally active paragangliomas within the abdomen but outside the adrenal gland are sometimes referred to as extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas.

External links

• Paraganglion at eMedicine Dictionary

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.