cortical

adjective

cor·​ti·​cal ˈkȯr-ti-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or consisting of cortex

2

: involving or resulting from the action or condition of the cerebral cortex

cortically

ˈkȯr-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of cortical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Human brain analyses validate findings To determine whether their findings translate to humans, the researchers obtained cortical samples from four human individuals aged 67 to 96. — Kristel Tjandra, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2026

From there, neural activity ripples rapidly across higher cortical areas. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 28 May 2026

Ocular dominance columns gave that preference a cortical substrate. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

Along with epilepsy, Benjamin also has cerebral palsy, cortical visual impairment and severe vision impairment caused by underdeveloped optic nerves and malformations in the visual centers of his brain. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cortical

• vortical
• adrenocortical
• thalamocortical
• neocortical
• subcortical

Medical Definition

cortical

adjective

cor·​ti·​cal ˈkȯrt-i-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or consisting of cortex

cortical tissue

2

: involving or resulting from the action or condition of the cerebral cortex

cortical blindness

cortically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb