cerebral cortex

noun

: the convoluted surface layer of gray matter of the cerebrum that functions chiefly in coordination of sensory and motor information compare neocortex

Examples of cerebral cortex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The team averaged the brain activity across all of the participants and used AI to group together and pinpoint the brain networks that were activated, specifically within the cerebral cortex. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024

Research suggests that exercising improves cognitive processes and memory, while increasing the thickness of your cerebral cortex, which is responsible for tasks like language, thinking, and emotions. —Angela Haupt, TIME, 17 Oct. 2024

The researchers found that certain regions of the cerebral cortex showed lower neuron density in autistic children than in controls. —Alison Escalante, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

Across all mammal lineages, brains tend to get larger in the same way: Evolutionarily, recent structures (in particular the cerebral cortex) blow up out of proportion to everything else. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

cerebral cortex

noun

: the convoluted surface layer of gray matter of the cerebrum that functions chiefly in coordination of sensory and motor information

called also pallium

see neocortex