neopallium
|ne-o-pal-li-um|
🇺🇸
/ˌniːoʊˈpælɪəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌniːəʊˈpælɪəm/
new cortex
Etymology
'neopallium' originates from New Latin, specifically from the combining form 'neo-' ultimately from Greek 'neos' where 'neos' meant 'new', and Latin 'pallium' where 'pallium' meant 'cloak' (used figuratively for a mantle or cortex).
'neopallium' was formed as an anatomical/New Latin compound from Greek 'neo-' + Latin 'pallium' and was subsequently borrowed into Modern English medical and anatomical usage (appearing in late 19th to early 20th century scientific literature) as 'neopallium'.
Initially a literal formation meaning 'new cloak' (neo- + pallium), over time it came to denote specifically the "new" part of the brain's pallium — i.e., the neocortex or newest cortical region.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the neocortex — the phylogenetically newest part of the cerebral cortex in mammals, responsible for higher-order functions such as sensory perception, cognition, language, and voluntary motor control.
Damage to the neopallium can impair language and complex problem-solving abilities.
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Noun 2
in comparative neuroanatomy, the dorsal pallium region of the brain in vertebrates, often referenced when discussing the evolutionary development of cortical structures across species.
Researchers compare the neopallium across species to study the evolution of cortical circuits.
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Last updated: 2026/01/11 21:56