cortex

American  

[kawr-teks] / ˈkɔr tɛks /

noun

plural

cortices

1. Anatomy, Zoology.

   1. the outer region of an organ or structure, as the outer portion of the kidney.

   2. the cerebral cortex.

2. Botany.

   1. the portion of a stem between the epidermis and the vascular tissue; bark.

   2. any outer layer, as rind.

3. Mycology. the surface tissue layer of a fungus or lichen, composed of massed hyphal cells.

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cortex British  

/ ˈkɔːtɛks, ˈkɔːtɪkəl /

noun

1. anatomy the outer layer of any organ or part, such as the grey matter in the brain that covers the cerebrum ( cerebral cortex ) or the outer part of the kidney ( renal cortex )

2. botany

   1. the unspecialized tissue in plant stems and roots between the vascular bundles and the epidermis

   2. the outer layer of a part such as the bark of a stem

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cortex Scientific  

/ kôr′tĕks′ /

1. The outer layer of an organ or body part, such as the cerebrum or the adrenal glands.

2. The region of tissue lying between the epidermis (the outermost layer) and the vascular tissue in the roots and stems of plants. It is composed of collenchyma, parenchyma, and sclerenchyma. In roots the cortex transfers water and minerals from the epidermis to the vascular tissue, which distributes them to other parts of the plant. The cortex also provides structural support and stores food manufactured in the leaves.

3. See illustration at xylem

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Other Word Forms

• cortical adjective
• cortically adverb
• subcortex noun

Etymology

Origin of cortex

1650–60; < Latin: bark, rind, shell, husk

Example Sentences

Planning is for weaklings, rational analysis is disdained, the amygdala and the gut replace the cerebral cortex.

From Salon

Levels of cholesterol and glycogen varied across regions, with the most dramatic contrasts appearing in areas responsible for memory, particularly the hippocampus and cortex.

From Science Daily

Near infrared spectroscopy evaluates how effectively oxygen reaches brain tissue near the surface of the cortex.

From Science Daily

These slower waves stimulated another region called the retrosplenial cortex, a key hub involved in accessing stored memories.

From Science Daily

The network is located within the motor cortex, the area of the brain responsible for controlling body movements.

From Science Daily