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, measuring about 2-4 cm in thickness.
Sections of the cortex observed at low magnifications with a microscope display a large number of nuclei of neurons, neuroglial cells, and in smaller numbers of endothelial cells of blood capillaries.
Most neuron cell bodies are recognized by their large and spherical nuclei that show clear chromatin and often voluminous nucleoli. Nuclei are highlighted in blue when you hover the cursor over or click on the image.
In this image the cytoplasm of the neurons is not very evident because it stains in pink, similarly as the tissue that surrounds the cells. This large pink area contains mostly axons and dendrites. Some less stained fibers, probably axons, can be distinguished.
Slender blood capillaries are highlighted in red.
