The cortical columns are vertical structures within the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the human brain. These column of cells play a vital role in memory, thought and language - three main contributers to our human experience. They contain groups of neurons specialized to perform a particular function. There are about half a million of such groups - each containing about 60,000 neurons. 

At the moment, one of the holy grails of neuroscience is unraveling the complex design of these cortical columns, which could inevitably help us better comprehend human perception and reality.