White matter

Definition

White matter is a component of the central nervous system, primarily composed of myelinated axons, which facilitates the communication between different brain regions and between the brain and spinal cord. It appears white due to the high fat content of myelin.

Related terms

Myelin:

A fatty substance that surrounds neurons' axons, increasing the speed at which electrical impulses propagate along the nerve cells.

Axon:

A long, slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that typically conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.

Central Nervous System (CNS): The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and sending out signals to the rest of the body