neocortex
NEE-oh-kor-teks
Definition
The largest and most highly developed part of the mammalian brain, responsible for complex functions such as sensory perception, conscious thought, language, and spatial reasoning.
Etymology
The word is a hybrid derived from the Greek 'neos' (new) and the Latin 'cortex' (bark or outer layer). It entered biological terminology in the early 20th century to describe the evolutionarily recent outer layer of the brain.
In the news
In the article, the neocortex is described as the supposed 'top' layer of the triune brain model, incorrectly framed as the rational controller of human behavior. Understanding this term is essential for identifying why the outdated 'lizard brain' theory of evolutionary brain development is now considered scientifically inaccurate.
Lizard Brains and Hidden Knowledge
Read the full article ↗Psychology Today