Substantia grisea

Substantia Grisea is a term used in neuroanatomy to refer to the grey matter in the central nervous system. It is composed primarily of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, glial cells, and capillaries. The term "substantia grisea" is Latin for "grey substance."

Structure

The substantia grisea is found in various parts of the brain and spinal cord. In the brain, it covers the cerebral hemispheres as the cerebral cortex, and is also found in deep clusters known as nuclei. In the spinal cord, the substantia grisea is located in the interior, surrounded by substantia alba, or white matter.

Function

The primary function of the substantia grisea is to process information in the brain. The neurons in the grey matter are responsible for muscle control, sensory perception such as seeing and hearing, memory, emotions, and speech.

Clinical significance

Damage to the substantia grisea can result in many neurological disorders. For example, in Alzheimer's disease, there is a significant loss of neurons in the substantia grisea. Similarly, in Parkinson's disease, there is a loss of dopamine-producing neurons in a part of the substantia grisea called the substantia nigra.

See also

• Grey matter
• White matter
• Central nervous system
• Neuron
• Neuroanatomy