White matter | |
---|---|
![]() Micrograph showing white matter with its characteristic fine meshwork-like appearance (left of image – lighter shade of pink) and grey matter, with the characteristic neuronal cell bodies (right of image – dark shade of pink). HPS stain. | |
Human brain right dissected lateral view (anterior on the right), showing grey matter (the darker outer parts), and white matter (the inner and prominently whiter parts). | |
Details | |
Location | Central nervous system |
Identifiers | |
Latin | substantia alba |
MeSH | D066127 |
TA98 | A14.1.00.009 A14.1.02.024 A14.1.02.201 A14.1.04.101 A14.1.05.102 A14.1.05.302 A14.1.06.201 |
TA2 | 5366 |
FMA | 83929 |
Anatomical terminology |
White matter refers to areas of the central nervous system (CNS) that are mainly made up of myelinated axons, also called tracts.[1] Long thought to be passive tissue, white matter affects learning and brain functions, modulating the distribution of action potentials, acting as a relay and coordinating communication between different brain regions.[2]
White matter is named for its relatively light appearance resulting from the lipid content of myelin. However, the tissue of the freshly cut brain appears pinkish-white to the naked eye because myelin is composed largely of lipid tissue veined with capillaries. Its white color in prepared specimens is due to its usual preservation in formaldehyde.
Areas of the CNS made up mainly of myelinated axons are called white matter.
© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search