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We have an amazing topic right now. What Are the White Matter and Gray Matter of the Brain?

In the human body, the brain plays a very important role. Accept it! We cannot survive without our brains.

The brain is comprised of two main parts: white and gray matter. White matter is made of the bundles of axons that connect neurons with one another, whereas gray matter is made up of the nerve cells themselves. So, let’s get started.

What Are the White Matter and Gray Matter of the Brain?

White matter

This is the brain’s communication network. It connects different parts of the brain to each other and allows them to work together. It has a supportive role in the brain. It helps to connect different parts of the brain together and provides insulation for these connections. It also contains metabolic pathways that help to keep neurons fueled with energy, despite being furthest from sources of nutrients and oxygen

Gray matter

This is the brain’s “thinking” part. It contains nerve cells that carry information from one area of the body to another. Gray matter consists mainly of neurons, which are cells specialized in processing information. Neurons are found in a variety of shapes and sizes but are typically covered by dendrites (branches) extending off them like tree limbs outstretched towards other neurons or other receptors on their surface or those on other cells. 

The branching ends of a neuron’s dendrites have tiny fibers called axons, which transmit neural signals to other neurons via synapses.

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Updated by: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Functions Of White Part

This type of matter refers to a bundle that has axons connecting various parts of both sides of the brain, which facilitates communication between neurons on each side.

The white part contains:

Glial cells called oligodendrocytes make myelin

Astrocytes

Functions Of Gray Part

Gray Matter on the other hand is made up entirely of neurons (nerve cells). It refers to any part or region within someone’s brain where these neuron cells are located and it’s found mainly on one side or both sides of a person’s cerebrum (outer layer).

Additionally, the Gray part includes

Axon pathways

Brain cells

Vascular capillaries

Dendrites, unmyelinated axons, and glia make up the neuropil.

Location of the White Part

As was already mentioned, this is arranged into axonal tracts. In the deeper parts of the cerebrum and cerebellum, white matter predominates; grey matter covers the white part. This part of the core contains other gray matter components, such as the basal ganglia. The white matter contains the fluid-filled ventricles of the brain.

Location of the Gray Part

The cerebrum, brain stem, and cerebellum are rich in neuronal cell bodies. This latter structure, which contains more neurons than the rest of the brain combined, takes up only 10% of the total brain volume.

Diseases of White Part

This is a type of brain tissue that helps to coordinate thoughts and actions.

Diseases of white part can occur in different parts of the brain. Some are caused by trauma, some are genetic, and some are caused by viruses. These diseases can change a person’s personality and ability to perform everyday tasks.

White matter diseases can cause:

– Difficulty thinking clearly

– Inability to remember or comprehend what happened moments ago

 – Loss of motor function

Diseases of Gray Part

The disease of gray matter mainly affects the frontal lobe, which is the part of the brain responsible for thinking, planning, judging, and decision-making.

There are many diseases that affect our brains and their functions. The disease of gray matter is one such brain disease. It gets its name from the color of the brain tissue that has been affected. This disease mainly affects the frontal lobe, which is responsible for thinking, planning, judgment, and decision-making skills. If these diseases are not treated properly, the mind will not remain calm. Our sleep is also affected by these diseases, and people feel angry in the morning. If you want to read about Why I am so angry in the morning, read this

Conclusion

White matter is the brain’s connection wiring, which is made up primarily of axons that pass messages between different regions.

Gray matter is the brain’s computation circuitry, which contains neurons and synapses that create and process information.

The white part makes up the majority of the brain’s connective tissue and comprises most of its volume in humans. Gray matter consists mostly of neurons or nerve cells