prefrontal cortex
- noun
- /ˌpriːˈfrʌntəl ˈkɔːr.tɛks/
- Specialized
- The higher functions of the brain are located in the prefrontal cortex.
- dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
- medial prefrontal cortex
- abnormality in the prefrontal cortex
When you're doing that, your prefrontal cortex is active.
- When you're doing that, your prefrontal cortex is active.
- There's the prefrontal cortex, which involves focus and attention.
- The stronger your prefrontal cortex, the easier it is to stay on track.
- So it's about balance between the front third of your brain, prefrontal cortex, and your emotional brain.
- What in the world is going on in the prefrontal cortex?
- I I'm able to perform better with a highly functioning prefrontal cortex.
- And what they realized was that it was so quick that it couldn't be conscious that there wasn't time for the prefrontal cortex to get the decision through.
- Also can't help but wondering about prefrontal cortex and trauma.
Examples
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Mammal evolution produced an expansion of the prefrontal cortex, which gives us our inhibitions or self-control.
Blog text (3) -
It's the higher brain, the prefrontal cortex that controls our attention.
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So there are studies in which they measure activity in the left prefrontal cortex that is this part of the brain.
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And I think, you know, our entire prefrontal cortex basically is the engine for a world model.
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Anxiety is associated with the prefrontal cortex of our adult brains.
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When you're doing that, your prefrontal cortex is active.
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Among the functions of the prefrontal cortex is bringing creativity and problem-solving to the complexities of life.
Academic text (2014) -
The prefrontal cortex facilitates processes associated with higher-level cognition, such as working memory, inhibitory control, and reasoning.
Academic text (2008) -
The prefrontal cortex is crucial for decision-making and complex cognitive behavior.
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Researchers found that the prefrontal cortex plays a key role in regulating our emotions.
Synonyms
Part of the brain at the front that controls movement you choose and thinking
The front part of the brain behind the forehead that helps you make decisions, solve problems, and control movements
The front part of the brain that helps with thinking and making decisions
How Complex
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'the front part of the frontal lobe' is directly and transparently composed from 'prefrontal' (located in front of the frontal area) plus 'cortex' (the brain's outer layer). This is a straightforward anatomical compound following common cross-linguistic medical naming patterns, so a learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Prefrontal cortex names the thin outer part of the brain at the very front: pre means 'before' or 'front', frontal points to the forehead area, and cortex means the brain's 'outer layer'. Think of it as a small control room at the front of the head that helps you plan, decide and control your actions, so the name fits its job in thinking and making choices.