What are clusters of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system called?

Clusters of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system are referred to as ganglia. These structures serve as relay points and processing stations for signals traveling between the central nervous system and various organs or tissues throughout the body. Ganglia are crucial because they contain the nerve cell bodies that serve the nearby peripheral nerves, helping facilitate communication and processing of information.

In contrast, nuclei refer to clusters of nerve cell bodies found within the central nervous system, specifically in the brain and spinal cord. Neurons represent the individual nerve cells themselves, and axons are the long, threadlike parts of neurons that transmit impulses away from the cell body. Thus, the distinction between these terms is essential in understanding the organization of the nervous system in both the peripheral and central contexts.