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paleocortical

paleocortical

9.9
Relating to the oldest part of the brain that helps you smell
  • adjective
  • /ˌpeɪliˈɔrkɪtəl/
  • Specialized
: paleocortical
  • The paleocortical regions are primarily responsible for processing olfactory information in many vertebrates.

Examples

  • The paleocortical areas of the brain are crucial for processing smells.

  • Researchers study the paleocortical structures to understand evolutionary changes in brain function.

  • Damage to the paleocortical areas can affect the sense of smell in mammals.

  • Researchers are studying the paleocortical structures in mammals.

  • Damage to the paleocortical areas can affect the sense of smell in mammals.

  • The paleocortical regions are primarily responsible for processing olfactory information in many vertebrates.

  • The paleocortical areas of the brain are crucial for processing smells.

Surface Forms

paleocortical positive

Morphology

paleocortical = cortical (semi-transparent) = paleo + cortex + al

The word is formed by adding the prefix 'paleo-' to 'cortical'; the structural relation is straightforward even though the term is technical.

Etymology

Paleocortical breaks into paleo- meaning 'old', as in paleontology, the study of old life, and cortical from cortex meaning 'outer layer' of the brain, so it names the 'old outer' parts of the brain. That's why paleocortical usually refers to the ancient parts of the cortex that process 'smell'.