temporal cortex
- noun
- /ˈtɛmpərəl ˈkɔrtɛks/
- Specialized
- The temporal cortex plays a crucial role in processing sounds we hear.
- right temporal cortex
Examples
-
This sample comes from the main association area of the temporal cortex.
-
These are the auditory association areas in the right temporal cortex, the left lateral cerebellum, and the right supplementary motor areas.
Academic text (2000) -
In this regard, it is interesting to refer to Wilder Penfield's (1959) experiments involving direct electrical stimulation of the temporal cortex and hippocampal area of the brain.
Academic text (1990) -
Researchers discovered that the left temporal cortex is important for understanding speech.
-
During the experiment, the scientists measured brain activity in the temporal cortex while participants listened to music.
Synonyms
A part at the side of the brain that handles hearing and memory
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is literally built from 'temporal' (relating to the temple/side of the head) and 'cortex' (the grey-matter layer of the brain), so its meaning as the cortical area at the temples is directly derivable from the parts. This is an anatomical, compositional term found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Temporal cortex: The term temporal cortex comes from temporal (from 'temple', the side of the head near the ear) and cortex (the brain's outer layer). So, it refers to the part of the brain near the temples that helps with hearing and memory.