Craniospinal ganglia ( GCS ) : A topographic division of vertebrate peripheral ganglia that includes cranial nerve ganglia and spinal nerve ganglia (Burdach, 1819) considered together, all of which are sensory in function and contrasted with the autonomic ganglia (Langley, 1900). The history of their discovery is complex, beginning with the discovery of spinal nerve ganglia by Coiter (1572, see 1995 translation p. 115). Also see International Anatomical Nomenclature Committee (1983; p. A73), Federative Committee on Anatomical Terminology (1998, p. 132).