neocortex

anatomy

Also known as: neopallium

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

The neocortex is the outermost layer of the cerebral cortex and is unique to mammals. It is the phylogenetically most recent part of the brain to develop. This six-layered region is responsible for higher-level cognitive functions, including sensory perception, conscious reasoning, and language.123

The neocortex is characterized by an elaborate series of convolutions, or folds, which significantly increase its surface area. These folds are called gyri, and the fissures between them are called sulci. This complex structure allows for advanced processing of sensory information and the generation of motor responses. The neocortex is divided into four main lobes: the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, each associated with different functions such as motor control, sensory processing, memory, and vision.234

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Nonbiological Man
He’s Closer Than You Think
We will connect our biological neocortex to a synthetic neocortex in the cloud. This will be done by using medical nano-robots that go into the brain through the capillaries and provide wireless communication between our neocortical modules and the cloud in the same way that your smartphone today has wireless…
Read More
We will connect our biological neocortex to a synthetic neocortex in the cloud. This will be done by using medical nano-robots that go into the brain through the capillaries and provide wireless communication between our neocortical modules and the cloud in the same way that your smartphone today has wireless…
Read More

primate
General structure
…known as the neopallium or neocortex. A neocortex is characteristic of higher vertebrates, such as mammals, which operate under the control of multiple sources of sensory input. In many mammals, the olfactory system dominates the senses, and the cerebral hemispheres consist largely of palaeocortex—the “smell brain”—of lower vertebrates. The arboreal…
Read More
…known as the neopallium or neocortex. A neocortex is characteristic of higher vertebrates, such as mammals, which operate under the control of multiple sources of sensory input. In many mammals, the olfactory system dominates the senses, and the cerebral hemispheres consist largely of palaeocortex—the “smell brain”—of lower vertebrates. The arboreal…
Read More

nervous system
Dominance of the cerebrum
…a new association centre, the neopallium, appears between paleopallium and archipallium. In birds there is nothing corresponding to the neopallium, but the basal ganglia (that is, the corpus striatum) are enormously expanded. In mammals the neopallium becomes greatly enlarged, exceeding all the other parts of the brain in size. This…
Read More
…a new association centre, the neopallium, appears between paleopallium and archipallium. In birds there is nothing corresponding to the neopallium, but the basal ganglia (that is, the corpus striatum) are enormously expanded. In mammals the neopallium becomes greatly enlarged, exceeding all the other parts of the brain in size. This…
Read More