Cortex
Cortex (Medicine)
Cortex (/ˈkɔːrtɛks/, from the Latin word for "bark", referring to the outer layer of an organ) is a term used in medicine to describe the outer layer of an organ or other structure.
Anatomy
In anatomy, the term "cortex" is most commonly used to refer to the outer layer of the brain, also known as the cerebral cortex. This is the part of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions such as thinking, perceiving, producing and understanding language.
The cortex can also refer to the outer layer of other organs in the body, such as the adrenal cortex, which produces hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone, and the renal cortex, which contains the majority of a kidney's structures including the renal corpuscles and renal tubules.
Histology
In histology, the cortex refers to the outer layer of a tissue or organ that is distinct from the inner layer, or medulla. The cortex is often responsible for the primary function of the organ, while the medulla typically serves a supportive role.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cortex
- Wikipedia's article - Cortex
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