BRAIN
GRAY MATTER
The gray matter ocupies about 40 % of the brain volume and the white mater about 60%. The cerebral cortex, composed of gray matter forms a thin peripheral layer, its thickness measuring about 2-4 cm
Sections of cortex Observedd in a microscope at low magnifications display a large number ofcell nuclei that belong to neurons, neuroglial cells, and, in smaller numbers, endothelial cells of blood capillaries.
Neurons can be recognized by their larger large, spherical nuclei with loose chromatin and often containing voluminous nucleoli. These nuclei are highlighted in blue when you hover the cursor over or click on the image.
The cytoplasm of the neurons in this image is not very evident because it stains in pink, similarly as the remaindig tissue of the cortex. The pink area is formed mostly by axons and dendrites. Observe some of the less stained fibers are probably axons.
Slender blood capillaries are highlighted in red.
