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Definition of "cortex" []

  • Anatomy The outer layer of an internal organ or body structure, as of the kidney or adrenal gland. (noun)
  • Anatomy The outer layer of gray matter that covers the surface of the cerebral hemisphere. (noun)
  • Botany The region of tissue in a root or stem lying between the epidermis and the vascular tissue. (noun)
  • An external layer, such as bark or rind. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "cortex" in a sentence
  • "Assuming their cerebral cortex is still intact and functioning."
  • "The extension and orientation of dendrites of the Purkinje cells provided a key for the understanding of how the cerebellar cortex is built up and works (the same could be stated for all other structures of the brain, in which how neuronal processes are arranged is the prerequisite for their functioning)."
  • "The 'impact' of the knowledge of the cell architecture and the orientation of its dendrites on the clarification of the structure and function of the cerebellar cortex is explained in this drawing of the cerebellar cortex (D)."