What is the Brain Cortex?
The brain cortex or cerebral cortex is the part of the brain which is responsible for higher thought and function. When people think of the brain, they usually visualize images they have seen of the cerebral cortex, since it is the largest part of the brain, and it is the area of the brain which differentiates humans from other animals. Although many animals have a brain cortex, it is most developed in humans, allowing a greater capacity for thought, reason, and other processes. This area of the brain is the uppermost part of the cerebrum or forebrain. It can be divided into four sections: the temporal, occipital, parietal, and frontal lobes. The brain cortex is also broken into two hemispheres connected by a group of nerve fibers known as the corpus callosum. Each area of the brain cortex performs different, specialized functions, and using neurological research, doctors have been able to pin down the precise areas of the brain where particular activities occur. The temporal lobes on
