A. Spinal Cord 1. Gray matter contains neurons , white matter generally free of neurons, but contains abundant nerve fibers. Gray matter, if a cross section, arranged in the shape of a butterfly 4. Central canal lined with columnar cells - the ependymal cells 5. This is a transverse section through the spinal cord with a pair of spinal ganglia connected by their dorsal roots.
Gray matter occupies the butterfly shaped, darker staining region in the center.
The gray matter can be distinguished easily from white matter by of the presence of numerous neurons. These neurons often have a very asymmetric shape. The ganglion is cut obliquely thereby giving the nerve fibers a speckled red appearance. The perineurium has been rather badly treated in most areas. The arrangement of satellite cells around the ganglia cells is quite dense so you should have no problem identifying them.