cortex

noun cor·tex \ˈkȯr-ˌteks\

medical : the outer layer of an organ in the body and especially of the brain

plural cor·ti·ces \ˈkȯr-tə-ˌsēz\ or cor·tex·es

Full Definition of CORTEX

a (1) : the outer or superficial part of an organ or bodily structure (as the kidney, adrenal gland, or cerebellum or a bone); especially : cerebral cortex (2) : the proteinaceous usually pigmented layer of a hair below the cuticle

b : the outer part of some organisms (as paramecia)

: a plant bark or rind (as cinchona) used medicinally

a : the typically parenchymatous layer of tissue external to the vascular tissue and internal to the corky or epidermal tissues of a green plant; broadly : all tissues external to the xylem

b : an outer or investing layer of various algae, lichens, or fungi

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Origin of CORTEX

Latin cortic-, cortex bark — more at cuirass

First Known Use: 1677

Rhymes with CORTEX

annex, apex, codex, complex, convex, culex, desex, duplex, DX, fourplex, ibex, ilex, index, Kleenex, latex, mirex, murex, MX, narthex, perplex, Perspex, phone sex, pollex, Pyrex, reflex, Rx, safe sex, scolex, silex, silvex, simplex, spandex, telex, Tex-Mex, triplex, unsex, vertex, vortex

Medical Dictionary

cortex

noun cor·tex \ˈkȯr-ˌteks\

plural cor·ti·ces \ˈkȯrt-ə-ˌsēz\ or cor·tex·es

Medical Definition of CORTEX

a : the outer or superficial part of an organ or body structure (as the kidney, adrenal gland, or a hair); especially : cerebral cortex b : the outer part of some organisms (as paramecia)

a : a plant bark or rind (as cinchona) used medicinally b : the peel of any of several fruits—used especially in the writing of medical prescriptions