Neurophysiology

Question 1

Describe the arrangement of grey/white matter in the spinal cord/brain

Answer 1

White matter = axons
Grey matter = somas and dendrites

Spinal cord: grey matter = inside, white matter = outside
Brain: white matter = inside, grey matter = outside

White matter or myelinated axon tracts:

• facilitate the transport of inputs up the spinal cord
• facilitate communication/integration/synchronisation between cortical regions of the brain
  
  • between hemispheres
  • long-range intrahemispherical connections
  • local connections

Note: The organisation of the nervous system is crossed. Sensory inputs from the right side of the body are processed by the left cerebral hemisphere