BRAIN
GRAY MATTER
The cerebral cortex is formed mainly by gray matter.
When viewed in the microscope at low magnifications, it displays a large number of nuclei. They belong to neurons, neuroglial cells, and, in smaller numbers, endothelial cells of blood capillaries.
Neurons can be recognized by their large, spherical nuclei with loose chromatin (lightly stained) 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 similarly as the remaindig tissue stained in pink.
The region of the pink tissue is mostly formed by numerous axons and dendrites. Observe some fibesr that are less stained, probably axons.
Slender blood capillaries are highlighted in red.
