prefrontal cortex

noun

: the gray matter of the anterior part of the frontal lobe that is highly developed in humans and plays a role in the regulation of complex cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning

Examples of prefrontal cortex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The dreams in this stage often seem illogical because parts of the brain's prefrontal cortex, which controls rational thought, are offline while brain regions controlling vision, movement and emotions remain active. Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024 The researchers observed that the men’s brain post-tear sniff exhibited less activity in the prefrontal cortex and the left anterior insula, regions that are associated with aggression and decision-making. Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 21 Dec. 2023 All six individuals who received this stimulation in the prefrontal cortex after the night the electrode was live compared with their memory after undisturbed sleep, the scientists reported in 2023. Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024 Because decision-making and learning are responsibilities of the prefrontal cortex, the front of the brain is deemed crucial for consciousness. Elizabeth Finkel, Quanta Magazine, 24 Aug. 2023 The prefrontal cortex plays a dual role in regulating the relationship of your initial emotional reaction and the shift to your empathetic emotion. Seena Mathew, Discover Magazine, 14 Dec. 2023 Further, two brain regions related to aggression and decision-making—the prefrontal cortex and left anterior insula—showed significantly less activity after men smelled the tears, per Scientific American. Tara Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023 During each bout of depression, brain tissue can shrink—especially in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which govern memory, emotion and higher-order thinking. Elizabeth Svoboda, Scientific American, 14 Dec. 2023 But unlike an adult who can readily talk to themselves about themselves (thank you, prefrontal cortex), your daughter cannot consistently harness and control this alarm, frustration and confusion. Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prefrontal cortex.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prefrontal cortex was in 1900

Dictionary Entries Near prefrontal cortex

Cite this Entry

“Prefrontal cortex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prefrontal%20cortex. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

prefrontal cortex

noun
: the gray matter of the anterior part of the frontal lobe that is highly developed in humans and plays a role in the regulation of complex cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!