Ganglion of Lunates
The semilunar ganglion (latin: ganglion semicircular), also known as the Petrosal nerve, is one of six pairs of nerve ganglia located on the inner wall of the middle ear, or inner ear, of humans. It is part of the auditory and vestibular nerve, which connects the inner ear to the spinal cord. The lunate ganglion is used to transmit information about head and body movement to the brain and promotes balance and spatial orientation.
Features of the Lunar Ganglion
- *Locations:* The Lunate Ganglion is located on both sides of the lower part of the inner ear at the base of the skull, under the Engel's gland and the IX branch of the cranial canal of the brain. In Latin, the very name “ganglion semilunatum” (“semilunar ganglion”) appeared due to its shape, reminiscent of half the Moon. - *Anatomy:* The head and dorsal parts of the ganglion are separated by a crossbar, which gives it a prismatic shape; this makes it possible to receive information separately from each of the two hemispheres of the inner ear. Each of the three parts of the ganglion has a continuation in the form of a trigeminal glial fiber, which passes through the cerebral cortex and comes into contact with the superior colliculi