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Multiple Choice
The white matter of the spinal cord is ______ to the gray matter.
A
superficial
B
anterior
C
medial
D
deep
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the structural organization of the spinal cord. The spinal cord is composed of two main types of tissue: gray matter and white matter. Gray matter contains neuron cell bodies, while white matter consists of myelinated axons that facilitate communication between different parts of the nervous system.
Step 2: Recall the anatomical arrangement of gray and white matter in the spinal cord. Gray matter is centrally located and has a butterfly or H-shaped appearance in cross-section, while white matter surrounds the gray matter.
Step 3: Analyze the directional terms provided in the options: 'superficial,' 'anterior,' 'medial,' and 'deep.' These terms describe relative positions in anatomy. 'Superficial' means closer to the surface, 'deep' means farther from the surface, 'anterior' refers to the front, and 'medial' means toward the midline.
Step 4: Compare the location of white matter relative to gray matter. Since white matter surrounds the gray matter, it is closer to the surface of the spinal cord, making it 'superficial' relative to the gray matter.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is 'superficial,' as white matter is located on the outer portion of the spinal cord, surrounding the centrally located gray matter.