córtice

Córtex is a term with multiple meanings, primarily used in biology and geology. In biology, córtex refers to the outer layer of an organ or a body part. For example, the cerebral córtex is the outermost layer of the cerebrum, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions like consciousness, thought, and memory. The adrenal córtex, another biological example, is the outer part of the adrenal gland that produces steroid hormones. Plant stems and roots also have a córtex, which is a layer of parenchyma cells involved in storage and transport.

In geology, córtex is sometimes used to describe the Earth's crust, the outermost solid shell of a rocky planet. This geological córtex is distinct from the mantle beneath it. The term can also appear in contexts related to materials science, referring to the outer layer or shell of a manufactured object, such as the córtex of a tire. Regardless of the specific field, córtex consistently denotes an external or superficial layer.