Suboesophageal ganglion
The suboesophageal ganglion of arthropods and in particular insects is part of the arthropod central nervous system. As indicated by its name, it is located below the oesophagus, inside the head. As part of the ventral nerve cord, it is connected to the brain and to the first thoracic ganglion. Its nerves innervate the sensory organs and muscles of the mouthparts and the salivary glands.
It is composed of three pairs of fused ganglia, each of which is associated with a pair of mouthparts. Therefore the fused parts are called the mandibular, maxillary and labial ganglia.
