Medical Encyclopedia

Medical Encyclopedia

Gray and white matter of the brain

Gray and white matter of the brain

The tissue called "gray matter" in the brain and spinal cord is also known as substantia grisea, and is made up of cell bodies. "White matter", or substantia alba, is composed of nerve fibers.

Update Date: 2/13/2008

Updated by: Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Departments of Anatomy & Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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