CORTICAL CELL Meaning and
Definition
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A cortical cell refers to a specific type of neuron that is primarily found in the cerebral cortex, the outermost layer of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions. Also known as a pyramidal cell or a projection neuron, the cortical cell plays a crucial role in transmitting electrical signals throughout the brain. These cells are characterized by their distinct pyramid-like shape, with a triangular-shaped cell body and a long, thick axon extending from one of its ends.
Cortical cells are considered excitatory neurons, meaning they typically transmit electrical impulses that promote the activity of other nearby neurons by stimulating them. They receive input from various sources, such as sensory organs and other brain regions, and integrate these inputs to generate an appropriate response or initiate an action. This integration of sensory information and the generation of appropriate responses are essential for higher-order brain functions, including sensory perception, motor planning, memory formation, and decision-making.
Studies have shown that the organization and functional properties of cortical cells vary across different regions of the cerebral cortex. For instance, in the motor cortex, these cells play a critical role in initiating and coordinating voluntary movements, while in the visual cortex, they are involved in processing visual information. The intricate connections and diverse functional roles of cortical cells make them a fundamental component in the complex network of the brain, contributing to the diverse cognitive abilities that humans possess.
Common Misspellings for CORTICAL CELL
- xortical cell
- vortical cell
- fortical cell
- dortical cell
- cirtical cell
- ckrtical cell
- clrtical cell
- cprtical cell
- c0rtical cell
- c9rtical cell
- coetical cell
- codtical cell
- coftical cell
- cottical cell
- co5tical cell
- co4tical cell
- corrical cell
- corfical cell
- corgical cell
- coryical cell
Etymology of CORTICAL CELL
The word "cortical cell" has its origins in two different etymologies.
1. "Cortical" originates from the Latin word "cortex", which means "bark" or "rind". In biology, "cortex" refers to the outer layer or covering of an organ or structure. In the context of neuroscience, the term "cortical" is often used to describe structures or processes in the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions.
2. "Cell" comes from the Latin word "cella", which means "small room" or "compartment". The term "cell" is commonly used in biology to refer to the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms. In the context of neuroscience, "cell" generally refers to individual neurons, which are the building blocks of the nervous system.
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