neocortex

[ nee-oh-kawr-teks ]

noun

, plural ne·o·cor·ti·ces [nee-oh-, kawr, -t, uh, -seez].

1. the largest and evolutionarily most recent portion of the cerebral cortex, composed of complex, layered tissue, the site of most of the higher brain functions.

Other Words From

• ne·o·cor·ti·cal [nee-oh-, kawr, -ti-k, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of neocortex¹

First recorded in 1905–10; neo- + cortex

Example Sentences

For this study, the researchers obtained six developing human neocortex tissue samples representing the mid-gestation period, or 15 to 17 weeks post-conception.

From Science Daily

Simultaneously they measured the activity of the parietal cortex, a part of neocortex that sends inputs to the entorhinal cortex.

From Science Daily

Contrary to previous assumptions, nerve cells in the human neocortex are wired differently than in mice.

From Science Daily

The study particularly focused on the neocortex, a brain area responsible for perception and a range of complex functions such learning.

From Science Daily

The neocortex in particular expanded during this time, since this region of the brain controls higher-order brain functions including language, motor commands, sensory perception and spatial reasoning.

From Salon