Question

Which of the following surrounds the central canal of the spinal cord- grey matter or white matter?

Answer 1

Substances of the nervous system

1. The brain and the spinal cord make up the central nervous system (CNS). Based on the appearance of the color, it is broadly divided into two substances- grey matter and white matter.
2. The grey matter comprises the neuronal cell body whereas the white matter comprises the nerve fibres (axons and dendrites). The white color is due to the myelination of the axonal fibres of the neurons.

Arrangement of substances in the spinal cord

1. In the spinal cord, these substances are arranged in a reverse fashion compared to the brain.
2. The grey matter surrounds the central canal of the spinal cord, whereas the white matter is present on the outer side of the spinal cord.