used as a combining form of cortex (genitive corticis) in medical terms (see cortical).
Entries linking to cortico-
cortical adj.
1670s, in botany, "belonging to external covering," from Modern Latin corticalis "resembling or consisting of bark or rind," from cortex (genitive corticis) "bark of a tree" (from PIE root *sker- (1) "to cut"). Also used in anatomy, applied to enveloping parts (distinguished from medullary).