MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: White matter of the brain

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White matter of the brain

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Illustrations	Information

Illustrations

Brain

Gray and white matter of the brain

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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.

Update Date: 5/8/2003

Updated by: Elaine T. Kiriakopoulos, M.D., M.Sc., Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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