chromaffin body

par·a·gan·gli·on

, pl.

par·a·gan·gli·a

(par'ă-gang'glē-on, -ă),

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

Synonym(s): chromaffin body

par·a·gan·gli·on

, pl. paraganglia (par'ă-gang'glē-ŏn, -ă)

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.
Synonym(s): chromaffin body.

chromaffin body

One of a number of bodies composed principally of chromaffin cells, arranged serially along both sides of the dorsal aorta and in the kidney, liver, and gonads. They are ectodermal in origin, having the same origin as cells of the sympathetic ganglia.

Synonym: paraganglion

See also: body