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Brain histology
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Brain histology shows two main tissue patterns. Gray matter contains many of the central parts of neurons, as well as dendrites, synapses, glial cells, and capillaries. At the surface of the cerebrum, it forms the layered cerebral cortex.
White matter predominates underneath. Picture internal cables: this region contains many axons, the extensions that connect neurons, wrapped in myelin. Gray matter therefore contains more of the areas where cells process information, while white matter holds many of the pathways that carry signals between regions.
In brief
Brain histology distinguishes gray matter from white matter. The cerebral cortex consists of layers of neurons and is part of the gray matter, which contains many cell bodies, dendrites, synapses, glial cells, and capillaries.
The cortex processes; white matter connects.
White matter predominates beneath the cortex. It consists mainly of myelinated axons and contains fewer cell bodies than gray matter. Because myelin wraps these axons, this region functions primarily as a network of connections between areas.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology InformationPhysiology, BrainPublished
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