Anatomy
cerebral cortex Audio
cor·tex
Subclass of:
Cerebrum
Definitions related to cerebral cortex:
  • The outer layer of the cerebrum composed of neurons and unmyelinated nerve fibers. It is responsible for memory, attention, consciousness and other higher levels of mental function.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • The part of the brain involved in all forms of conscious experience, including thought, language, and memory.
    Harvard Dictionary of Health Terms
    Harvard Medical Publishing, 2011
  • The thin layer of GRAY MATTER on the surface of the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES that develops from the TELENCEPHALON and folds into gyri and sulci. It reaches its highest development in humans and is responsible for intellectual faculties and higher mental functions.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • Thin layer of gray matter on the surface of the cerebral hemisphere that develops from the telencephalon and folds into gyri; it reaches its highest development in man and is responsible for intellectual faculties and higher mental functions.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
Try this search on: Farlex, Merriam-Webster, Oxford Dictionary, or Wordnik

This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.