Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy

Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy

The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...

Organization of the Brain

Organization of the Brain

The brain is an integral component of the nervous system and serves as the center for processing sensory inputs, making decisions, and directing bodily actions. This complex organ is organized into three primary sections: the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain, each responsible for a range of vital functions.
Hindbrain
The hindbrain, located at the base of the brain, plays a vital role in regulating automatic processes that sustain life. It includes the medulla oblongata, which is essential for...

Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II

Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II

Each cerebral hemisphere can be divided into three main regions. The outermost region, the cerebral cortex, is a thin layer (2 to 4 millimeters thick) made up of gray matter, consisting of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, glial cells, and blood vessels. The middle region, or white matter, is primarily composed of myelinated nerve fibers organized into three types of large tracts: association fibers, commissures, and projection fibers. Association fibers connect different areas within the same...

Anatomy of the Brain: Major Regions

Anatomy of the Brain: Major Regions

The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It consists of four main parts: the cerebrum, diencephalon, cerebellum, and brainstem.
The cerebrum is the largest section of the brain and divides into left and right hemispheres, separated by a deep fissure. The cerebral outer layer of grey matter — the cerebral cortex — comprises elevations called gyri and shallow groves called sulci. The inner portion of white matter includes long nerve fibers known as axons, which connect various areas...

Cerebellum: Anatomical Regions

Cerebellum: Anatomical Regions

The cerebellum, also known as the "little brain," is located in the posterior cranial fossa, inferior to the tentorium cerebelli and dorsal to the brainstem. It plays a significant role in motor control, coordination, and proprioception.
Cerebellar Structure
Externally, the cerebellum features a highly convoluted surface with numerous folia (narrow ridges) separated by shallow sulci (grooves). The cerebellum is divided into two hemispheres by a thin median structure known as the vermis. The...

Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation

Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation

The reticular formation is a complex network of gray and white matter located within the brainstem extending from the medulla to the midbrain.
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Outcomes of Integrated Practice Unit Treatment for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Co-occurring Conditions Among Veterans.

The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences·2026

Same author

A Single-Item Screening Tool for the Assessment of Hoarding: Preliminary Observations.

The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences·2026

Same author

Ocular Motor Control and Cognitive Function in Military Veterans With Chronic Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Journal of neuro-ophthalmology : the official journal of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society·2026

Same author

White matter disconnection in acquired criminality.

Molecular psychiatry·2025

Same author

Synergistic effects of GFAP and Aβ42: Implications for white matter integrity and verbal memory across the cognitive spectrum.

Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2024

Same author

Exploring the genetics of white matter comment on "heritability of white matter in twins: A diffusion neuroimaging review" by Giovanni Videtta, Chiara Colli, Letizia Squarcina, Corrado Fagnani, Emanuela Medda, Paolo Brambilla, and Giuseppe Delvecchio.

Physics of life reviews·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Co-analysis of Brain Structure and Function using fMRI and Diffusion-weighted Imaging

Co-analysis of Brain Structure and Function using fMRI and Diffusion-weighted Imaging

Published on: November 8, 2012

White matter: organization and functional relevance.

Christopher M Filley¹

¹Behavioral Neurology Section, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA. christopher.filley@ucdenver.edu

Neuropsychology Review

|March 31, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Norman Geschwind

More Related Videos

Fiber Connections of the Supplementary Motor Area Revisited: Methodology of Fiber Dissection, DTI, and Three Dimensional Documentation

Fiber Connections of the Supplementary Motor Area Revisited: Methodology of Fiber Dissection, DTI, and Three Dimensional Documentation

Published on: May 23, 2017

Microdissection of Mouse Brain into Functionally and Anatomically Different Regions

Microdissection of Mouse Brain into Functionally and Anatomically Different Regions

Published on: February 15, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Co-analysis of Brain Structure and Function using fMRI and Diffusion-weighted Imaging

Co-analysis of Brain Structure and Function using fMRI and Diffusion-weighted Imaging

Published on: November 8, 2012

Fiber Connections of the Supplementary Motor Area Revisited: Methodology of Fiber Dissection, DTI, and Three Dimensional Documentation

Fiber Connections of the Supplementary Motor Area Revisited: Methodology of Fiber Dissection, DTI, and Three Dimensional Documentation

Published on: May 23, 2017

Microdissection of Mouse Brain into Functionally and Anatomically Different Regions

Microdissection of Mouse Brain into Functionally and Anatomically Different Regions

Published on: February 15, 2021

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience
Behavioral Neurology

Background:

Norman Geschwind's 1965 paper highlighted brain disconnexion syndromes.
White matter's role in higher brain functions was established.
Advancements in neuroimaging increased focus on white matter.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the historical and current understanding of white matter's role in cognition and emotion.
To emphasize the shift from focal white matter lesions to diffuse involvement in neurological disorders.
To highlight the neurobiological advancements in understanding white matter.

Main Methods:

Historical review of neurological literature.
Discussion of neuroimaging techniques' impact.
Synthesis of current neurobiological understanding of white matter.

Main Results:

Focal white matter lesions are key to classic syndromes.
Diffuse white matter involvement is increasingly linked to dementia and neuropsychiatric disorders.
White matter is understood as crucial for information transfer in neural networks.

Conclusions:

White matter plays a vital role in supporting cognitive and emotional functions.
Continued research into white matter organization and function promises clinical benefits.
Understanding myelinated tracts is essential for advancing neuroscience.