What term describes the cell bodies of neurons collectively?

The term that describes the cell bodies of neurons collectively is gray matter. In the central nervous system, gray matter primarily consists of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons. It is responsible for processing and integrating information, as it contains the majority of the brain's neuronal cell bodies, which play crucial roles in functions such as muscle control, sensory perception, and decision-making.

In contrast, white matter is made up of myelinated axons that connect different regions of gray matter within the brain and spinal cord. This myelination gives white matter its characteristic color and is essential for efficient communication between neurons. Glial cells, while they support and protect neurons, are not themselves neuronal cell bodies, and the term "neurons" refers to the entire nerve cells, which include both the cell bodies and the axons/dendrites. Thus, gray matter specifically highlights the composition of neuronal cell bodies, making it the correct term.