Brain tissue
Brain Tissue
Brain tissue is the main component of the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. It is composed of two main types of cells: neurons and glial cells.
Pronunciation
Brain Tissue: /breɪn ˈtɪʃuː/
Etymology
The term "brain" comes from the Old English word "brægen", which means "brain". The word "tissue" is derived from the French word "tissu", meaning "a weave or a cloth".
Types of Brain Tissue
There are two main types of brain tissue: grey matter and white matter.
Grey Matter
Grey matter is composed primarily of neuron cell bodies and their dendrites, which are short branches of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.
White Matter
White matter is composed of axons, which are long, thin parts of a neuron that transmit signals to other neurons. White matter gets its name from the white, fatty myelin sheath that surrounds and insulates many axons.
Related Terms
- Neuron: A cell that transmits nerve signals.
- Glial Cells: Non-neuronal cells that provide support and protection for neurons.
- Axon: A part of a neuron that carries nerve signals away from the cell body.
- Dendrite: A part of a neuron that receives signals from other neurons.
- Myelin: A fatty substance that surrounds and insulates axons.
- Central Nervous System: The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.
- Grey Matter: Brain tissue composed primarily of neuron cell bodies and their dendrites.
- White Matter: Brain tissue composed primarily of axons.
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