cortex

American  

[kawr-teks] / ˈkɔr tɛks /

noun

plural

cortices

1. Anatomy, Zoology.

   1. the outer region of an organ or structure, as the outer portion of the kidney.

   2. the cerebral cortex.

2. Botany.

   1. the portion of a stem between the epidermis and the vascular tissue; bark.

   2. any outer layer, as rind.

3. Mycology. the surface tissue layer of a fungus or lichen, composed of massed hyphal cells.

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cortex British  

/ ˈkɔːtɛks, ˈkɔːtɪkəl /

noun

1. anatomy the outer layer of any organ or part, such as the grey matter in the brain that covers the cerebrum ( cerebral cortex ) or the outer part of the kidney ( renal cortex )

2. botany

   1. the unspecialized tissue in plant stems and roots between the vascular bundles and the epidermis

   2. the outer layer of a part such as the bark of a stem

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cortex Scientific  

/ kôr′tĕks′ /

1. The outer layer of an organ or body part, such as the cerebrum or the adrenal glands.

2. The region of tissue lying between the epidermis (the outermost layer) and the vascular tissue in the roots and stems of plants. It is composed of collenchyma, parenchyma, and sclerenchyma. In roots the cortex transfers water and minerals from the epidermis to the vascular tissue, which distributes them to other parts of the plant. The cortex also provides structural support and stores food manufactured in the leaves.

3. See illustration at xylem

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Other Word Forms

• cortical adjective
• cortically adverb
• subcortex noun

Etymology

Origin of cortex

1650–60; < Latin: bark, rind, shell, husk

Example Sentences

Scientists have discovered that normal-looking brain cells can acquire the first IDH mutation and quietly spread through the brain's cortex long before a tumor mass forms.

From Science Daily

This reduced response appeared in the auditory cortex, the region responsible for processing sound and speech.

From Science Daily

The cerebral cortex consists of six layers that work together to form highly intricate neural circuits.

From Science Daily

Their findings showed that the speed of alpha waves in the parietal cortex plays a critical role.

From Science Daily

Using this system, the scientists showed that the thalamus plays a central role in shaping specialized neural circuits within the human cerebral cortex.

From Science Daily