white matter
Definition
Noun: - Whitish nervous tissue of the CNS: "White matter" refers to the component of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, that is pale in color. It primarily consists of bundles of nerve fibers (axons) and their protective myelin sheaths, which give the tissue its distinctive white appearance. Its main function is to transmit signals between different areas of gray matter within the nervous system.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The MRI scan showed a high concentration of white matter in the cerebral hemispheres.
- Damage to the white matter can disrupt communication between different brain regions.
- The spinal cord contains both gray matter and white matter.
Advanced Usage
- "White matter integrity": A term used in neuroscience to describe the health and structural soundness of white matter tracts, often assessed for signs of disease or aging.
- Aging is often associated with a decline in white matter integrity.
- "White matter lesions": Abnormal areas in the white matter, often seen on brain scans, which can indicate injury, disease, or changes related to conditions like multiple sclerosis.
- The neurologist noted several small white matter lesions on the scan.
Variants and Related Words
- Gray matter (n): The darker tissue of the brain and spinal cord, consisting mainly of nerve cell bodies and involved in muscle control, sensory perception, and decision-making. It is often contrasted with white matter.
- Myelin (n): The fatty substance that forms a sheath around many nerve fibers, enabling faster signal transmission and giving white matter its color.
- Tract (n): In neuroanatomy, a bundle of nerve fibers (axons) in the central nervous system that constitutes a major pathway within the white matter.
Synonyms
- Medullary substance: A less common, more technical synonym for white matter.
- Leukon: A specialized medical term for the white matter of the brain.
Related Phrases
- White matter hyperintensities: A specific finding on certain types of MRI scans where areas of white matter appear brighter than normal, often associated with small vessel disease.
- White matter connectivity: Refers to the network of pathways formed by white matter tracts that link different brain regions.
Noun
-
whitish nervous tissue of the CNS consisting of neurons and their myelin sheaths
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