![This is a human brain section stained with a silver-based stain that shows up in myelin. Myelin, if you remember, is composed of certain kinds of glia that wrap around neuronal axons to provide a type of insulation and therefore conduct action potentials (neuronal messages) faster. Myelin is critical to normal functioning, and when it is destroyed (such as in MS), there are severe consequences to movement, sensation, and cognition. All the bright yellow parts of this brain (showing myelin and therefore axons) come from the cell bodies of the cortex (gray matter, here looking like a white border around the yellow) to other parts of the brain and down into the body. This image is not fully developed (the stain is still in the process of staining), but it is one tool scientists use to better examine neural tissue postmortem (after death).
[Image Source]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l7ev6hn1TR1qb6etto1_500.jpg)
This is a human brain section stained with a silver-based stain that shows up in myelin. Myelin, if you remember, is composed of certain kinds of glia that wrap around neuronal axons to provide a type of insulation and therefore conduct action potentials (neuronal messages) faster. Myelin is critical to normal functioning, and when it is destroyed (such as in MS), there are severe consequences to movement, sensation, and cognition. All the bright yellow parts of this brain (showing myelin and therefore axons) come from the cell bodies of the cortex (gray matter, here looking like a white border around the yellow) to other parts of the brain and down into the body. This image is not fully developed (the stain is still in the process of staining), but it is one tool scientists use to better examine neural tissue postmortem (after death).
[Image Source]
