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cortex

[kawr-teks]

noun, plural cor·ti·ces [kawr-tuh-seez] /ˈkɔr təˌsiz/.

Anatomy, Zoology.
  1. the outer region of an organ or structure, as the outer portion of the kidney.
  2. the cerebral cortex.
Botany.
  1. the portion of a stem between the epidermis and the vascular tissue; bark.
  2. any outer layer, as rind.
Mycology. the surface tissue layer of a fungus or lichen, composed of massed hyphal cells.

Nearby words

  1. cortadito,
  2. cortege,
  3. cortelyou,
  4. cortelyou, george bruce,
  5. cortes,
  6. cortex of ovary,
  7. cortez, hernando,
  8. corti,
  9. corti's arch,
  10. corti's canal

Origin of cortex

1650–60; < Latin: bark, rind, shell, husk
Related formssub·cor·tex, noun, plural sub·cor·ti·ces.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for subcortex

subcortex

noun plural -tices (-tɪˌsiːz)

anatomy the matter of the brain situated beneath the cerebral cortex
Derived Formssubcortical (sʌbˈkɔːtɪkəl), adjective

cortex

noun plural -tices (-tɪˌsiːz)

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)
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
Derived Formscortical (ˈkɔːtɪkəl), adjectivecortically, adverb

Word Origin for cortex

C17: from Latin: bark, outer layer
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for subcortex

cortex

n.

1650s, "outer shell, husk," from Latin cortex "bark of a tree" (see corium). Specifically of the brain, first recorded 1741.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for subcortex

subcortex

[sŭb-kôr′tĕks]

n. pl. sub•cor•ti•ces (-tĭ-sēz′)

The portion of the brain immediately below the cerebral cortex.
Related formssub•cor′ti•cal (-tĭ-kəl) adj.

cortex

[kôr′tĕks′]

n. pl. cor•tex•es

The outer layer of an internal organ or body structure, as of the kidney.
The cerebral cortex.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for subcortex

cortex

[kôr′tĕks′]

The outer layer of an organ or body part, such as the cerebrum or the adrenal glands.
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. See illustration at xylem.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.