cerebral cortex

Definition of cerebral cortex

: the convoluted surface layer of gray matter of the cerebrum that functions chiefly in coordination of sensory and motor information — compare neocortex

Examples of cerebral cortex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Her cerebral cortex, which controls motor skills and balance, had been bruised, but any issues that arose from the injury could be treated with physical therapy. — Perry Vandell, azcentral, "Family hurt in violent Phoenix crash grateful 5-year-old daughter escapes brain damage," 8 Jan. 2020 They were not expected to be found in birds because of their small brains and the absence of a cerebral cortex. — Onur Güntürkün, Scientific American, "“Birdbrain” Turns from Insult to Praise," 1 Jan. 2020 Changes in brain structure Dancing engages extensive areas of the cerebral cortex as well as several deep brain structures. — Adrianna Mendrek, Quartz, "Dancing could treat depression and other brain diseases," 9 Dec. 2019 Some estimates suggested 10 to 20 billion neurons for the human cerebral cortex, others some 60 to 80 billion in another region called the cerebellum. — Suzana Herculano-houzel, The Conversation, "Your big brain makes you human – count your neurons when you count your blessings," 26 Nov. 2019 In 2010, the researchers mapped out the vascular network covering the surface of the neocortex in rats and mice, the outer layer of the cerebral cortex. — Quanta Magazine, "In Natural Networks, Strength in Loops," 14 Aug. 2013 Under his tutelage, Sestan published widely on gene expression and cell development in the cerebral cortex, attracting the notice of the department’s hiring committee. — Matthew Shaer, New York Times, "Scientists Are Giving Dead Brains New Life. What Could Go Wrong?," 2 July 2019 Without the option of simply cutting out pieces of a person’s healthy cerebral cortex the way physicians can dissect a tumor, brain scientists have had to get creative. — Quanta Magazine, "The Oldest Mini-Brains Have Lifelike Young Cells," 29 Aug. 2017 Based on her studies, Herculano-Houzel has concluded that primates evolved a way to pack far more neurons into the cerebral cortex than other mammals did. — Quanta Magazine, "How Humans Evolved Supersize Brains," 10 Nov. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cerebral cortex.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Learn More about cerebral cortex

Dictionary Entries near cerebral cortex

cerebral cortex

cerebral ganglion

cerebral hemisphere

Statistics for cerebral cortex

Last Updated

22 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Cerebral cortex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cerebral%20cortex. Accessed 20 Feb. 2020.

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