cortex

cortex — noun

1. the outer tissue that covers an organ such as the brain or a kidney; this layer

1.名詞C1
釋義

the outer tissue that covers an organ such as the brain or a kidney; this layer carries out specific jobs that the inner part of the organ does not handle.

例句

The prefrontal cortex helps people plan their daily activities and control their impulses.

specific name: prefrontal cortex (planning + impulse control)

When the visual cortex is damaged, a person may struggle to recognise familiar faces.

passive: visual cortex is damaged

同義詞
  • outer layer

    much broader term; can describe any layered object, not just body organs

  • surface

    refers to the outside boundary of an object rather than a distinct functional tissue layer

反義詞
  • core

    the innermost part of an organ, opposite in position and usually in function

  • medulla

    the inner tissue of an organ such as the kidney or adrenal gland

文法句型

the [adjective] cortex

cortex of the [organ]

用法筆記

The plural form is cortices (not 'cortexes'). In medical and scientific writing, this term is almost always preceded by an adjective that names which organ's outer layer is meant — for example, cerebral cortex, prefrontal cortex, renal cortex, or adrenal cortex.

常見錯誤

❌The injury affected his cortex.
✅The injury affected his cerebral cortex.
💡'Cortex' by itself is vague; specify which organ's outer layer you mean by using the full anatomical name.
❌The cortex of the brain was examined under a microscope.
✅The cerebral cortex was examined under a microscope.
💡'Cerebral cortex' is the standard term in medical English; 'cortex of the brain' sounds like a non-specialist paraphrase.