Word
cortical
Phoneticscor·ti·cal
US/ˈkɔɹtəkəɫ/
UK/kˈɔːtɪkəl/
Definition
adj. relating to the outer layer of an organ or structure in the body, especially the brain. You use this when talking about the part of the brain that handles thinking and movement.
adj. relating to the cortex of an organ, particularly the cerebral cortex or the adrenal gland. In botany, refers to the outer tissue of a stem or root.
Examples
“The doctor explained that the patient had high cortical activity.”
“Researchers used advanced imaging to map cortical responses to visual stimuli in the brain's outer layers.”
“The study examines how cortical thickness in the prefrontal area correlates with executive function and decision-making abilities in young adults.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor explained that the patient had high cortical activity.”
contextual
“Researchers used advanced imaging to map cortical responses to visual stimuli in the brain's outer layers.”
complex
“The study examines how cortical thickness in the prefrontal area correlates with executive function and decision-making abilities in young adults.”
Usage
Typically used in medical, biological, or anatomical contexts to describe location or origin within an organ's outer layer.
Real-World Examples
Common in science writing
“Most of the fragment consists of cortical bone, the thick and dense tissue that forms the hard outer layer of bones.” “Researchers found that cortical neurons can perform remarkably complex computations, giving them capabilities more like tiny biological computers than simple on-off switches.” Word family
Domains
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/cortical