cerebral cortex

American  

[suh-ree-bruhl kawr-teks, ser-uh-] / səˈri brəl ˈkɔr tɛks, ˈsɛr ə- /

noun

1. the furrowed outer layer of gray matter in the cerebrum of the brain, associated with higher brain functions such as voluntary movement, learning, memory, coordination of sensory information, and the expression of individuality.

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cerebral cortex Scientific  

1. The layer of gray matter in vertebrates that covers the cerebral hemispheres and is composed of folds of neurons and axons. The cerebral cortex is responsible for higher functions of the nervous system, including voluntary muscle activity and learning, language, and memory.

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cerebral cortex Cultural  

1. The surface layer of gray tissue of the cerebrum, frequently called the gray matter. The large size of the cerebral cortex in humans distinguishes them from other animals. Specific parts of the cortex control specific functions, including sensation, voluntary muscle movement, thought, reasoning, and memory.

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Etymology

Origin of cerebral cortex

First recorded in 1925–30

Compare meaning

How does cerebral-cortex compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cerebrum vs. cerebral cortex
• neocortex vs. cerebral cortex

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cerebral cortex

Planning is for weaklings, rational analysis is disdained, the amygdala and the gut replace the cerebral cortex.

From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2026

Birds demonstrate that conscious processing can occur without a cerebral cortex and that very different brain structures can arrive at similar functional outcomes.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 15, 2025

The folds of the cerebral cortex also stabilize, forming the ridges seen on the outer surface.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 1, 2025

Neuroscientists typically ascribe consciousness and abstract thought to the cerebral cortex, which evolved later in human evolution and wraps around the brain's outer layer in folded gray matter.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 3, 2024

It is, so far, entirely a human invention, evolved by natural selection in the cerebral cortex for one simple reason: it works.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan