White matter

Last revised by Tariq Walizai on 2 Jul 2024

The white matter (TA: substantia alba) is the substance of the brain and spinal cord that contains the fibre tracts of neuronal axons in the central nervous system. The term is due to the paler colour of the lipid-rich myelin that encases the axons in the tracts compared to the grey matter, which contains predominantly the neuronal cell bodies.

Cases and figures

  • Figure 1: human brain - lateral view
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