cortex, in botany, term generally applied to the outer soft tissues of the leaves, stems, and roots of plants. Cortical cells of the leaves and outer layers of nonwoody stems contain chloroplasts, and are modified for food storage (usually in the form of starch) in roots and the inner layers of stems and seeds. Because of the combination of its soft texture (especially after cooking) and its role as a food storage tissue, the cortex is the predominant plant tissue eaten by humans and other animals.

In plants, the tissue of unspecialized cells lying between the epidermis (surface cells) and the vascular, or conducting, tissues (see phloem and xylem) of stems and roots. Cortical cells may contain stored food or other substances, such as resins, latex, essential oils, and tannins. Cortical cells in herbaceous stems, young woody stems, and stems of succulents contain chloroplasts and can therefore make food by photosynthesis. Food, usually in the form of starch, in edible roots, bulbs, and tubers is stored mostly in the cortex.

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Cortex (Latin: "bark", "rind", "shell" or "husk") may mean any of the following:

In anatomy:

• Cortex (anatomy), the outermost or superficial layer of an organ, and especially in the brain:
• the Cerebral cortex (usually just cortex), the outer layer of the vertebrate cerebrum, part of which is the forebrain
• the Motor cortex, the regions of the cerebral cortex involved in voluntary motor functions
• the Prefrontal cortex, the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain
• the Visual cortex, regions of the cerebral cortex involved in visual functions.
• the Cerebellar cortex, the outer layer of the vertebrate cerebellum
• as well as in other organs:
• the Renal cortex, the outer portion of the kidney

In other sciences:

• Cortex (botany), the outer portion of the stem or root of a plant
• Cortex (archaeology), the outer layer of rock formed on the exterior of raw materials by chemical and mechanical weathering processes.
• The cellular cortex is the region proximal to the cell surface, that is directly underneath the cell membrane

In video games:

• In the Crash Bandicoot (series) series of video games:
• Doctor Neo Cortex, the main antagonist of the series
• Nina Cortex, Neo Cortex's niece

Other uses:

• Cortex (journal), a scientific journal founded in 1964 and produced by Masson Publishing
• Cortex (payment software), a card payment software package for the banking industry
• Cortex Control Panel, a custom game control panel
• Cortex (CPU), a family of the ARM architecture of CPUs
• Cortex digital music controllers, a US-based company making DJ and pro audio equipment.

See also

• The explosive cord is spelled Cordtex
• Cortex Command