What Is White Matter On The Brain And What Are

Posted on Mon, 8 Apr 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 8 Apr 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : What is white matter on the brain and what are the affects of it

Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
White matter is a normal structure of the brain that transmits messages

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,

The white matter of the brain is a normal structure. The brain is made of grey matter and white matter.

The grey matter is generally at the outer area of the brain and contains nerve cells while the white matter is more in the inside and contains the nerves that come out of the nerve cells (they conduct the messages between nerve cells and the muscles or other organs)

So the role of the white matter is generally that of conducting messages up and down from the brain to other organs.

I hope this answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,

Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj