Final answer:
In the spinal cord, white matter is located peripherally, surrounding the centrally located gray matter.
Step-by-step explanation:
Location of White Matter in the Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is a crucial component of the central nervous system (CNS) and plays a significant role in the transmission of signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Structurally, the spinal cord exhibits a distinctive arrangement where the white matter is located peripherally. This white matter contains myelinated axons which are responsible for the rapid transmission of nerve signals. Contrasting this arrangement, the gray matter is found centrally, comprising mainly neuron cell bodies and interneurons. A cross-section of the spinal cord would reveal the white matter as an outer layer encasing the centrally positioned gray matter, which has the appearance of a butterfly or 'H' shape. Moreover, the spinal cord's white matter is further divided into regions that convey sensory and motor information to and from the brain.