piriform cortex

1 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly pyriform cortex or piriform

ˈpir-ə-ˌfȯrm 

or pyriform

plural piriform cortices also pyriform cortices or piriform cortexes or pyriform cortexes or piriforms or pyriforms

: the part of the cerebral cortex that receives primary input from the olfactory bulb

Smells can tap memories more powerfully than any of the other senses, says Sarah Cormiea, a Johns Hopkins doctoral candidate … . She points to evidence that just reading smell-related words—for instance, pumpkin spice—will spark activity in the area of the brain that processes olfactory stimuli, the piriform cortex.

—Jill Rosen

pyriform

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adjective

pyr·​i·​form ˈpir-ə-ˌfȯrm 

variants or piriform

: having the form of a pear

a pyriform shape

pyriform jars

see also piriform cortex

Examples of piriform cortex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

However, our piriform cortex is thought to be analogous to the insect mushroom body in its connectivity. —Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2024

Previous research has shown that adaptation to odors takes place in the piriform cortex. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

New Latin pyriformis, from Medieval Latin pyrum pear (alteration of Latin pirum) + Latin -iformis -iform

First Known Use

Noun

1921, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1717, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing piriform cortex

• pyriform cortex

Rhymes for piriform cortex

• neocortex
• vortex

Medical Definition

piriform cortex

noun

variants also pyriform cortex or piriform or pyriform

: the part of the cerebral cortex of the piriform lobe that receives primary input from the olfactory bulb

During brain imaging, the scientists found the primary odor-processing region of the brain (the piriform cortex) became active when people saw objects they'd originally seen with odors …

—Celeste Robb-Nicholson, Ventura County (California) Star