neuropil

noun

Meaning

A dense network of interwoven axons, dendrites, and glial cell processes that forms the bulk of the central nervous system's gray matter.

Examples

  • The complex computational power of the insect brain resides largely within its highly organized neuropil.
  • Researchers used high-resolution imaging to map the synaptic connections within the neuropil of the mouse cortex.

Synonyms: nerve net, synaptic neuropil, gray matter