Cortical
Having to do with the cortex, the outer portion of an organ. The outer portion of the adrenal gland is called the adrenal cortical part; the outer portion of the cerebrum is the cerebral cortical area (a key part of the brain responsible for higher cortical functions); the outer part of the kidney is the renal cortical portion (it lies just beneath the capsule surrounding the kidney); etc. Cortical is in contrast to the inner portion of the organ which is called the medullary portion. Thus, there is the adrenal medulla; the medulla oblongata of the brain; the renal medulla; etc. The word "cortical" comes from "cortex", Latin for the bark of a tree.
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cor·ti·cal 'kȯrt-i-kəl adj
1) of, relating to, or consisting of cortex <\cortical tissue>
2) involving or resulting from the action or condition of the cerebral cortex <\cortical blindness>
cor·ti·cal·ly -k(ə-)lē adv
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cor·ti·cal (korґtĭ-kəl) [L. corticalis] pertaining to or of the nature of a cortex or bark.
Medical dictionary.
2011.