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
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And panicking diverts resources from our thinking zone – the prefrontal cortex – to the fight, flight, or freeze zone at the base of the brain. Shani Harmon, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 Rigid thinkers tend to have lower levels of dopamine in their prefrontal cortex and higher levels of dopamine in their striatum, a key midbrain structure in our reward system that controls our rapid instincts. Matt Richtel, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 Small, intentional shifts engage the prefrontal cortex, building comfort with discomfort. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 That’s because the amygdala, a part of the brain that processes feelings, and the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for reasoning and self-control, may fall out of sync under these conditions. Nathalie Alonso, AFAR Media, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prefrontal cortex

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prefrontal cortex was in 1892

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Cite this Entry

“Prefrontal cortex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prefrontal%20cortex. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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
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