neocortex

noun

neo·​cor·​tex ˌnē-ō-ˈkȯr-ˌteks 

: the large 6-layered dorsal region of the cerebral cortex that is unique to mammals

broadly : the mammalian cerebral cortex

Examples of neocortex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The brain moves information from the hippocampus–where short-term memories are stored into the neocortex. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024

Fish, however, do not have a neocortex in their brains so the propagating wave sleep is not the same as REM sleep. —Discover Magazine, 1 Oct. 2024

The Role of Sensorimotor Learning The project is also based on the neocortex’s role in sensorimotor learning. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 June 2024

The Past Human brain cells made fewer genetic mistakes than Neanderthals’ Despite the fact that both species shared a similarly large neocortex, scientists still have many questions about how closely the function of their brains resembled our own. —Big Think, 24 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Neocortex, from neo- neo- + Cortex cortex; from its being the cortex of the phylogenetically most recently developed part of the brain

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

neocortex

noun

neo·​cor·​tex ˌnē-ō-ˈkȯr-ˌteks 

plural neocortices -ˈkȯrt-ə-ˌsēz  or neocortexes

: the large 6-layered dorsal region of the cerebral cortex that is unique to mammals

broadly : the mammalian cerebral cortex