What term describes the matter formed by myelinated neurons in the central nervous system?

The term that describes the matter formed by myelinated neurons in the central nervous system is white matter. This designation arises from the presence of myelin, a fatty substance that surrounds and insulates the axons of neurons. Myelination enhances the speed and efficiency of electrical signal transmission between neurons, resulting in the pale appearance of white matter compared to gray matter, which consists mainly of unmyelinated neurons, neural cell bodies, and dendrites.

In the central nervous system, white matter is crucial for the communication between different brain regions and between the brain and spinal cord. The contrast between gray matter and white matter is fundamental in neuroanatomy, reflecting the functional differences where gray matter processes information and white matter transmits signals across distances in the nervous system. Understanding this distinction is key to grasping how the brain and spinal cord function in both health and disease.