The pale, deeper layer of the brain and spinal cord made up of myelinated nerve fibers connecting different regions.
Structure
White matter consists mostly of axons sheathed in myelin, the fatty insulation that gives it its pale color. Bundles of these axons form named tracts that link specific regions.
Function
Whereas gray matter does most of the computing, white matter carries the answers between processing centers. Signal speed depends on the thickness and integrity of the myelin sheath.
Clinical note
Disorders such as multiple sclerosis damage the myelin and slow conduction, producing characteristic motor and sensory symptoms.
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White Matter starts with W and ends with R. Browse other body parts along the same letter.
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