cortex

noun

cor·tex | \ ˈkȯr-ˌteks

plural cortices\ ˈkȯr-tə-ˌsēz

\ or cortexes

Definition of cortex

1a(1) : the outer or superficial part of an organ or bodily structure (such 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 (such as paramecia)

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

3a : 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

Examples of cortex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In living animals, the cortex’s surface layers are typically much more accessible than deep regions like the pons. — Daniela Hernandez, WSJ, "The Quest to Decode the Brain," 15 June 2018 Muotri and her research team had been trying to coax human stem cells to re-create tissue found in the brain's cortex, which is devoted to cognition and interpreting sensory information. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Re-create Baby Brain Readings in a Dish," 19 Nov. 2018 The researchers focused their efforts on the prefrontal cortex, temporal cortex, and cerebellum, as these regions have been implicated in susceptibility to ASD. — Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, "Autism involves a large-scale reduction in RNA editing," 21 Dec. 2018 Another is the posterior cingulate cortex, which Vago says is thought to play a critical role in self-reflection and rumination. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "What Meditation Can—and Can’t—Do for Your Health," 11 Sep. 2018 Ojemann makes a cut in the side of the woman’s temporal lobe, which is above the ear, avoiding what’s known as the eloquent cortex, parts of the brain that are generally understood to allow people to move, hear, speak, and see. — Jacqueline Detwiler, Popular Mechanics, "The Heroes of Science Who Are Unlocking the Brain," 3 Oct. 2018 The weight loss occurs due to a portion of your adrenal glands called your cortex, the Mayo Clinic explains. — Korin Miller, SELF, "13 Surprising Medical Conditions That Can Cause Weight Gain or Loss (and When to Go to the Doctor)," 12 Nov. 2018 The latest is called cortical spreading depression, which refers to a spontaneous electrical wave that travels through the brain’s cortex. — Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, "Vertigo, Panic and Trouble Breathing: What's Going On Here?," 19 Oct. 2018 One of the regions in that network is the frontopolar cortex, which, according to Vago, evidence suggests is the most highly evolved part of the brain and is thought to be responsible for supporting meta-awareness. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "What Meditation Can—and Can’t—Do for Your Health," 11 Sep. 2018

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