cortex

cor·tex

noun \ˈkȯr-ˌteks\

plural cor·ti·ces \ˈkȯr-tə-ˌsēz\ or cor·tex·es

Definition of CORTEX

1

a (1) : the outer or superficial part of an organ or bodily structure (as the kidney, adrenal gland, or cerebellum or a bone); especially : cerebral cortex (2) : the proteinaceous usually pigmented layer of a hair below the cuticle

b : the outer part of some organisms (as paramecia)

2

: a plant bark or rind (as cinchona) used medicinally

3

a : the typically parenchymatous layer of tissue external to the vascular tissue and internal to the corky or epidermal tissues of a green plant; broadly : all tissues external to the xylem

b : an outer or investing layer of various algae, lichens, or fungi

Origin of CORTEX

Latin cortic-, cortex bark — more at cuirass

First Known Use: 1677

Rhymes with CORTEX

annex, apex, codex, complex, convex, culex, desex, duplex, DX, fourplex, ibex, ilex, index, Kleenex, latex, mirex, murex, MX, narthex, perplex, Perspex, phone sex, pollex, Pyrex, reflex, Rx, safe sex, scolex, silex, silvex, simplex, spandex, telex, Tex-Mex, triplex, unsex, vertex, vortex

cor·tex

noun \ˈkȯr-ˌteks\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; cor·ti·ces \ˈkȯrt-ə-ˌsēz\ (audio pronunciation)or ; cor·tex·es

Medical Definition of CORTEX

1

a : the outer or superficial part of an organ or body structure (as the kidney, adrenal gland, or a hair); especially : cerebral cortex b : the outer part of some organisms (as paramecia)

2

a : a plant bark or rind (as cinchona) used medicinally b : the peel of any of several fruits—used especially in the writing of medical prescriptions

Illustration of CORTEX

cortex

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In plants, the tissue of unspecialized cells lying between the epidermis (surface cells) and the vascular, or conducting, tissues (see phloem and xylem) of stems and roots. Cortical cells may contain stored food or other substances, such as resins, latex, essential oils, and tannins. Cortical cells in herbaceous stems, young woody stems, and stems of succulents contain chloroplasts and can therefore make food by photosynthesis. Food, usually in the form of starch, in edible roots, bulbs, and tubers is stored mostly in the cortex.