White matter
White matter
White matter (/waɪt ˈmætər/) is a component of the central nervous system (CNS) in all higher vertebrates, including humans. It mainly consists of glial cells and myelinated axons, which transmit signals from one region of the cerebrum to another and between the cerebrum and lower brain centers.
Etymology
The term "white matter" is derived from the white, fatty myelin sheath that surrounds and insulates the nerve fibers, giving the tissue its color.
Structure
White matter is composed of bundles of myelinated nerve cell projections (or axons), which connect various gray matter areas (the locations of nerve cell bodies) of the brain to each other, and carry nerve impulses between neurons. The myelin acts as an insulator, increasing the speed of transmission of all nerve signals.
Function
White matter modulates the distribution of action potentials, acting as a relay and coordinating communication between different brain regions.
Related terms
- Gray matter: The areas of the brain where the bodies of the nerve cells are located.
- Myelin: A fatty white substance that surrounds the axon of some nerve cells, forming an electrically insulating layer.
- Glial cells: Non-neuronal cells in the central nervous system that support and protect neurons.
- Axon: A long, slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on White matter
- Wikipedia's article - White matter
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