noun

cortex

cortex, outer layer

The cerebral cortex is responsible for higher thought.

The cerebral cortex is responsible for higher thought.

The adrenal cortex produces important hormones.

The adrenal cortex produces important hormones.

((the)) cortex ((of sth.)) the outer layer of an organ The cerebral cortex is responsible for higher thought.

Synonyms: rind, bark, layer, crust

From Latin 'cortex' meaning 'bark, rind, shell'. Used to describe the outer layer of an organ.

Think of the 'cork' of a tree, which is its bark. The cortex is the 'bark' or outer layer of the brain or another organ.

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