SUBCORTEX Meaning and
Definition
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The term "subcortex" refers to the lower region of the brain that lies below the cerebral cortex. It is comprised of various structures that play a crucial role in the processing of information and the regulation of basic physiological functions. The subcortex includes structures such as the thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and limbic system.
The thalamus serves as a relay station for sensory information, relaying signals from sensory organs to the cerebral cortex. It also plays a role in regulating sleep and wakefulness. The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body, controlling functions like temperature, hunger, thirst, and hormone secretion.
The basal ganglia are involved in the coordination of movement, as well as cognitive functions such as learning, motivation, and emotional responses. They are particularly important in motor control, helping to initiate and regulate voluntary movements.
The limbic system plays a significant role in emotions, memory, and motivation. It includes structures such as the hippocampus, amygdala, and cingulate gyrus.
Overall, the subcortex is an integral part of the brain that contributes to a variety of essential functions, from sensory processing to motor coordination, emotional regulation, and memory formation. Despite being underneath the cerebral cortex, it is intricately connected to it and together they work in concert to enable the complex functioning of the human brain.
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The white matter of the brain immediately underlying the cortex.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SUBCORTEX
- aubcortex
- zubcortex
- xubcortex
- dubcortex
- eubcortex
- wubcortex
- sybcortex
- shbcortex
- sjbcortex
- sibcortex
- s8bcortex
- s7bcortex
- suvcortex
- suncortex
- suhcortex
- sugcortex
- subxortex
- subvortex
- subfortex
- subdortex
Etymology of SUBCORTEX
The word "subcortex" is derived from two roots: "sub", which means under or below, and "cortex", which refers to the outer layer of an organ.
The term "subcortex" is mainly used in neuroscience to describe the structures located beneath the cerebral cortex in the brain. These structures include the thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and limbic system.
The word "cortex" has Latin origins, derived from the Latin word "cortic-" meaning "bark" or "rind". It was first used in this context by German anatomist and physiologist Gustav Fritsch in the late 19th century. Fritsch used the term to refer to the outer layer of the cerebrum, and later, the term was expanded to include the outer layer of other organs as well.
