cortex
[ kawr-teks ]
/ ˈkɔr tɛks /
noun, plural cor·ti·ces [kawr-tuh-seez] /ˈkɔr təˌsiz/.
Anatomy, Zoology.
- the outer region of an organ or structure, as the outer portion of the kidney.
- the cerebral cortex.
Botany.
- the portion of a stem between the epidermis and the vascular tissue; bark.
- any outer layer, as rind.
Mycology.
the surface tissue layer of a fungus or lichen, composed of massed hyphal cells.
Origin of cortex
1650–60; < Latin: bark, rind, shell, husk
OTHER WORDS FROM cortex
sub·cor·tex, noun, plural sub·cor·ti·ces.Words nearby cortex
cort.,
cortadito,
cortege,
cortelyou,
cortes,
cortex,
cortex of ovary,
corti,
corti's arch,
corti's canal,
corti's cell
Example sentences from the Web for cortex
British Dictionary definitions for cortex
cortex
/ (ˈkɔːtɛks) /
noun plural -tices (-tɪˌsiːz)
anatomy
the outer layer of any organ or part, such as the grey matter in the brain that covers the cerebrum (cerebral cortex) or the outer part of the kidney (renal cortex)
botany
- the unspecialized tissue in plant stems and roots between the vascular bundles and the epidermis
- the outer layer of a part such as the bark of a stem
Derived forms of cortex
cortical (ˈkɔːtɪkəl), adjective cortically, adverbWord Origin for cortex
C17: from Latin: bark, outer layer
Medical definitions for cortex
cortex
[ kôr′tĕks′ ]
n. pl. cor•tex•es
The outer layer of an internal organ or body structure, as of the kidney.
The cerebral cortex.
Scientific definitions for cortex
cortex
[ kôr′tĕks′ ]
The outer layer of an organ or body part, such as the cerebrum or the adrenal glands.
The region of tissue lying between the epidermis (the outermost layer) and the vascular tissue in the roots and stems of plants. It is composed of collenchyma, parenchyma, and sclerenchyma. In roots the cortex transfers water and minerals from the epidermis to the vascular tissue, which distributes them to other parts of the plant. The cortex also provides structural support and stores food manufactured in the leaves. See illustration at xylem.