Relating to the cortex, especially the outer layer of an organ such as the brain or kidney. Pertaining to the bark-like outer covering of biological structures.
From Latin 'cortex' meaning 'bark' or 'rind,' with the adjectival suffix '-ical.' The term was first applied to tree bark, then extended to describe the outer layers of organs that resembled bark in appearance or position.
The brain's cortex gets its name from tree bark because early anatomists saw the wrinkled, layered appearance as similar to bark's texture. This poetic connection between trees and minds reflects how our ancestors understood the brain as the 'bark' protecting the inner wood of consciousness.
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