prefrontal cortex

noun

: the gray matter of the anterior part of the frontal lobe that is highly developed in humans and plays a role in the regulation of complex cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning

Examples of prefrontal cortex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Where our brains are outfitted with a prefrontal cortex that allows for planning, organizing, setting goals and decision making, a horse has virtually none. Krista Stevens, Longreads, 20 Nov. 2024 For instance, the prefrontal cortex is involved in decision-making, planning, and impulse control. Quora, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024 Brain regions such as the anterior cingulate and ventromedial prefrontal cortex integrate many sources of information – essential for being able to form a mixed emotion. Anthony Gianni Vaccaro, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2024 Similarly, researchers have identified single neurons in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex that encode information about others’ thoughts. Elizabeth Svoboda, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prefrontal cortex 

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prefrontal cortex was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near prefrontal cortex

Cite this Entry

“Prefrontal cortex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prefrontal%20cortex. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

prefrontal cortex

noun
: the gray matter of the anterior part of the frontal lobe that is highly developed in humans and plays a role in the regulation of complex cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning
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