adjective
cortical
KOR-tih-kul/ˈkɔːrtɪkl/
Relating to an organ’s outer layer, especially that of the brain.
The brain section highlights the folded cortical ribbon around its outer edge.
Etymology
The pieces describe something relating to bark or an external covering. In anatomy, that covering became an organ's outer layer, so cortical identifies structures or activity associated with that layer.
In context
It has density variations between the hard outer cortical bone and the spongy interior.
More examples
- Researchers measure cortical activity while volunteers listen to music.
- The kidney's cortical tissue contains many tiny filtering structures.
- The doctor compares cortical thickness across several brain regions.
Forms
cortical
cortex noun — The outer layer of an organ.
Similar words
- cerebral
- Refers to the cerebrum generally, not just its outer layer.