cerebral cortex (CTX)

The term cerebral cortex refers to the most prominent part of the cerebrum as defined by dissection and Nissl stain. It derives developmentally from the cortical plate of the embryonic Encephalon. In the adult human its average volume (two hemispheres combined) is 550 cubic centimeters, and the total number of neurons is estimated at 23 billion. Its surface area in the adult is three times greater than at birth, and two thirds of the surface is hidden in the walls of the sulci ( Zilles-2012 ). In the human ( Mai-2004 ) and the macaque ( Martin-2000 ) it is divided by sulci and fissures into six lobes: the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, temporal lobe, limbic lobe, and insula. In the rat ( Swanson-2004 ) and mouse ( Hof-2000 ) it is a smooth structure. In the Functional CNS Model - Rat it is one of three components of the cerebrum. The other two are the cortical subplate nuclei and the cerebral nuclei. This definition is the same as the classical definition, except that layer 6b is provisionally classified with the cortical plate nuclei, not with the cerebral cortex ( Swanson-2004 ). The cerebral cortex of primate is classically subdivided topographically into lobes and gyri, on the basis of sulcal landmarks. In functional models it is subdivided into regions and areas of neocortex and allocortex on the basis of internal architecture ( Stephan-1975 ). While primate and rodent share almost no topographic landmarks, most of the architectonic areas of the rodent brain have equivalents in the primate brain. A number of architectonically defined areas of the primate brain, however, have no equivalent in the rodent. Those include particularly areas in prefrontal cortex and at the junction of the parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe of the primate.

Also known as: cerebral cortex, Cortex cerebri, Cortex cerebralis, cortical plate (areas), cortical plate (CTXpl), cortical plate

NeuroNames ID: 39

All Names & Sources

Showing 25 synonym(s)

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cerebral cortex
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cerebral cortex
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cerebral cortex
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cerebral cortex
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cortical plate
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cortical plate (areas)
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cortical plate (CTXpl)
Species With The Structure
Equivalent By Human Macaque Rat Mouse
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Showing 8 record(s)

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cerebral cortex
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Cortex cerebralis
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Cortex cerebri
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cerebral cortex
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cerebral cortex
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cortical plate (areas)
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cerebral cortex
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cerebral cortex
Models Where It Appears
Structural CNS Model - Macaque

Brain structures of the macaque are illustrated in BrainInfo’s NeuroMaps macaque brain atlas. Structures are grouped by proximity in a hierarchy corresponding to the central nervous system hierarchy of NeuroNames ( Bowden-1995 Martin-2000 ). Structures in the NeuroMaps atlas are based on the segmentation of an MRI of the brain of a 3-year old male rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). The atlas is most useful for targeting structures for implantating electrodes and chemtrodes. Updated 29 Oct 2025.

Functional CNS Model - Rat

The Functional CNS Model - Rat (FMrat) ( Swanson-2004) is one of three hierarchical models representing the internal organization of the central nervous system (CNS). The others are the Structural CNS Model - Human (SThmn) and the Functional CNS Model - Human (FMhmn). The FMrat model represents the basic organization of the mouse ( Hof-2000 AMBA-2024 ) and, presumably, other rodents. Functional CNS models differ from structural models in that structures are defined and named by connectivity rather than by proximity to other structures at the same level. Functional models are more useful for representing longitudinal components of are grouped based on information drawn from multiple neuroscientific disciplines. such as connections, neurochemical characteristics, and role in physiogical and behavioral processes. While the Functional Model was developed primarily for an atlas of the rat brain ( Swanson-2004 ), the hierarchical organization of structures is for the most part applicable to the human, macaque, mouse and other mammalian brains as well. Structures at lower levels of the Functional CNS hierarchy are largely the same as in the Classical and Developmental Models, i.e., they were originally identified by stains for gray matter (Nissl substance) and white matter (myelin). At the next higher level they are grouped into basic connectional and functional systems of the CNS, such as the subcortical sensory systems, the brainstem motor system and the behavioral state system. At the highest levels CNS structures are grouped on the basis of dissection and embryologic precursors into cerebrum ( cerebral cortex and cerebral nuclei ), cerebellum, and cerebrospinal trunk.

Topographic Model of Human Cerebral Cortex

The topographic model of human cerebral cortex is a closed partitive hierarchical model of cerebral cortical structure in the human. The cerebral cortex is segmented on the basis of internal structure, connectivity, and/or functions of cortical areas. It is designed to update the comprehensive early twentieth century parcellations of Brodmann and of von Economo and Koskinas and their successors. A work in progress, it integrates the most authoritative, comprehensive, and recent parcellations and nomenclatures from peer-reviewed publications and neuroanatomical texts. For an equivalent model in the rodent, Search BrainInfo for ' Functional CNS Model - Rat '. This segmentation of the human cerebral cortex, based on a combination of internal structure, connectivity, and function, complements the classical segmentation of the cerebral cortex into lobes, lobules, and gyri based on sulcal patterns: For the classical segmentation, see ' cerebral cortex ' and click 'Locus in Brain Hierarchy'.

Classical Vertebrate Central Nervous System

The Classical Vertebrate Central Nervous System is a hierarchical model of gray matter structures that are common to the brain and spinal cord of all vertebrates. As in other classical models, structures are grouped by proximity as observed on dissection, and the upper levels correspond roughly to their organization in the embryo. The hierarchical organization is based on the Basic Partts List for Adult Nervous System in All Animals ( Swanson-2104 ), the nomenclature on NeuroNames ( Bowden-2012 ).