What is the difference between white matter and gray matter in the brain?

The gray matter is the areas where the actual “processing” is done whereas the white matter provides the communication between different gray matter areas and between the gray matter and the rest of the body. The neurons in the gray matter consist of neuronal cell bodies and their dendrites.

What does the white matter in the brain do?

White matter is found in the deeper tissues of the brain (subcortical). It contains nerve fibers (axons), which are extensions of nerve cells (neurons). Also, it improves the speed and transmission of electrical nerve signals along extensions of the nerve cells called axons.

What parts of the brain are white and grey matter?

Cerebral cortex – The outer layer of the brain, the cerebral cortex, consists of columns of gray matter neurons, with white matter located underneath.

What is the role of gray matter and white matter?

Gray matter is peculiar for containing the neuron cell bodies. The scientific name for the neuron bodies is soma (1). White matter is specific for containing myelinated axons (1). This structure connects the brain cells and is distributed in tracts or bundles.

What function does white matter serve in the brain?

The primary function of the brain’s white matter is to provide a pathway for connecting the different areas of the brain . Should this brain matter become damaged, the brain can rewire itself and establish new nerve connections between gray and white matter.

Is there a large amount of white matter in the brain?

White matter brain disease results in the degeneration of white matter, which creates a large portion of the brain. The primary form of white matter brain disease is multiple sclerosis , which results in the destruction of the myelin sheath.

What causes an increase of white matter in brain?

Other causes can be neurological diseases that can specifically target the brain. There are also some external factors that can cause white matter changes, such as recreational drugs, inhalants, and other substances that are harmful to a person’s overall health. One common factor that causes changes in white matter is aging.

Is the outer part of the brain called white matter?

Cerebral cortex – The outer layer of the brain, the cerebral cortex, consists of columns of gray matter neurons, with white matter located underneath. This area is essential to many facets of higher learning, including attention, memory, and thought.