What is the origin of the term "Gray Matter" for brain cells?

Question

What is the origin of the term "Gray Matter" for brain cells?

Answer 1

Because your brain with not blood flowing in it has a gray color unlike the pink you would normally think of

Answer 2

I think becoz Grey Matter consists of cytons & Axons without mylienation. It might have been imparting it grey colour. That is why it is called 'grey matter"

Answer 3

Sorry to have to disagree with the other respondents but... The grey matter consists of interneurons - neurons with relatively short, unmyelinated axons. The white matter consists of sensory and motor neurons whose axons are myelinated. The myelin sheath is a fatty insulation produced by certain types of Glial cells, which renders these axons white.  Interneurons (which have a greyish cast) are more abundant than sensory and motor neurons, thus overall the brain appears grey. Further, the interneurons are responsible for our higher cognitive functions such as language, judgement, thinking, impulse control, memory, etc. So when some says that "you're a little low on grey matter" they're saying you're not very smart.  

Answer 4

The areas of the central nervous system where these cells are is gray in color.  Here's more about gray matter:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_matter  

Answer 5

It's the color of the interior tissue of the cerebellum that is, well... gray. The rest of the cerebellum is called white matter. Plus there is a section called the substantia nigra, which is Latin for 'black substance'.