cortex
cor.tex \'ko.r-.teks\ \'ko.rt-*-.se-z\ n or cor.ti.ces or cor.tex.es [L
cortic-, cortex bark] pl 1: a plant bark or rind used medicinally 2: the
outer or superficial part of an organ or body structure; esp :: the outer
layer of gray matter of the cerebrum and cerebellum 3a: the typically
parenchymatous layer of tissue external to the vascular t issue and
internal to the corky or epidermal tissues of a green plant; broadly : all
tissues external to the xylem 3b: an outer or investing layer of various
algae, lichens, or fungi