White matter of the brain
Key points
- The white matter of the brain refers to the nerve cells under the cortex (grey matter).
- These nerve cells have extensive myelin that covers part of each cell.
- Myelin acts as an insulator, and it increases the speed of transmission of all nerve signals.
Information
The white matter of the brain refers to the nerve cells under the cortex (grey matter). These nerve cells have extensive myelin that covers part of each cell. Myelin acts as an insulator, and it increases the speed of transmission of all nerve signals.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
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