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What color is the spinal cord?

Published in Neuroanatomy 1 min read

The spinal cord is primarily composed of both gray and white matter. Therefore, it does not have one single color.

The appearance of the spinal cord arises from the composition of its tissue:

  • Gray Matter: This area is rich in neuronal cell bodies and appears grayish-brown in a fresh, unstained specimen.

  • White Matter: This area consists mainly of myelinated axons. Myelin is a fatty substance that insulates nerve fibers, giving this area a whitish appearance.

Essentially, the spinal cord presents a combination of gray and white colors, rather than being a single, uniform color.

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