What does the cerebral cortex control?

The cerebral cortex is a critical region of the brain that plays a pivotal role in controlling a wide variety of functions essential to human behavior and experience. This outer layer of the brain is involved in processing sensory information, as well as coordinating voluntary movements, higher cognitive functions, and language processing.

Voluntary movements are initiated in the motor areas of the cerebral cortex. These areas help plan, control, and execute movements, allowing individuals to carry out purposeful actions.

Perception is another vital function managed by the cerebral cortex. Different sensory modalities, such as touch, vision, and hearing, are processed in specific areas of the cortex. This allows for the interpretation of sensory information and the subsequent understanding of the surrounding environment.

Language is also significantly associated with the cerebral cortex, particularly in regions such as Broca's area and Wernicke's area, which are key to speech production and comprehension. This highlights the cortex's role in complex communicative functions.

Thus, the cerebral cortex is integral in managing voluntary movements, perception, and language, demonstrating its broad influence over many aspects of human functioning. This comprehensive involvement in diverse processes is why the correct answer is that the cerebral cortex controls all of the aforementioned functions.