cortex
Definitions
The outer layer of the cerebrum, composed of folded gray matter and playing an important role in consciousness.
The outer layer of an organ or body part, such as the kidney or an adrenal gland, as distinguished from its inner tissue.
The outer layer of the stem or root of a plant, lying below the epidermis and outside the vascular bundles.
Examples
The cerebral cortex is responsible for higher-level functions such as thought, memory, and language.
The adrenal cortex secretes hormones that are essential for regulating metabolism and the body's stress response.