cortex — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The outer layer of an internal organ or body structure, such as the kidney or the brain.

   Usage

   • Countable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   In the study, led by Ryota Kanai of the University College London, people who identified themselves as liberals generally had a larger anterior cingulate cortex — a comma-shaped region near the front of the brain that is involved in decision-making. By contrast, those who identified as conservatives had larger amygdalas — almond-shaped structures that are linked with emotional learning and the processing of fear.

2. The tissue of a stem or root that lies inward from the epidermis, but exterior to the vascular tissue.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

3. The outer surface of a piece of flint.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. the layer of unmyelinated neurons (the grey matter) forming the cortex of the cerebrum

   Synonyms

   cerebral cortexcerebral mantlepallium

   Broader terms

   neural structure

2. the tissue forming the outer layer of an organ or structure in plant or animal

   Antonyms

   medulla

   Broader terms

   animal tissueplant tissue

3. the tissue that surrounds the lens nucleus

   Synonyms

   lens cortex

   Broader terms

   animal tissue