Psychology -> The structure of the cerebral cortex

The structure of the cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex is the outer layer or "bark" of the cerebral hemispheres, two large masses that form the greatest bulk of the human brain. It is about 3mm thick and contains approximately 70% of the neurons in the central nervous system, i.e. billions of nerve cells.

The cerebral hemispheres looks a little like a giant wrinkled walnut, full of bulges and separated by grooves. These grooves increase the amount of area the cortex occupies. In other animals, the cortex is smooth, reducing its total area. It is often referred to as the brain's grey matter.