What color are myelinated nerve fibers typically?

Myelinated nerve fibers are typically white in appearance due to the presence of myelin, a protective and insulating sheath that surrounds the axons of many neurons. Myelin is composed of lipids and proteins, and its high lipid content is what gives myelinated fibers their characteristic white color. This is why myelinated fibers are often referred to as "white matter" in the nervous system, in contrast to "gray matter," which contains the cell bodies and unmyelinated fibers. The white coloration facilitates the rapid transmission of electrical impulses along the nerve fibers, allowing for efficient communication within the nervous system. This distinction is crucial for understanding the functional organization of the nervous system and the roles of different types of fibers in neural signaling.