This presentation provides a comprehensive review of major sulci of brain which help in defining the different lobes of brain.Very useful for first year residents.
3. NEUROHISTOLOGY
The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of neural tissue.
The cerebral cortex is gray matter, consisting mainly of cell
bodies and capillaries. It contrasts with the underlying white
matter, consisting mainly of the white myelinated sheaths of
neuronal axons.
The phylogenetically most recent part of the cerebral cortex,
the neocortex, is differentiated into 6 horizontal layers; the
more ancient part of the cerebral cortex, the hippocampus,
has at most three cellular layers.
Neurons in various layers connect vertically to form small
microcircuits, called cortical columns. Different neocortical
regions known as Brodmann areas are distinguished by
variations in their histological structure.
http://cercor.oxfordjournals.org/
"Patricia Goldman-Rakic: 1937-2003". Oxford University Press.
4. The different cortical layers contain a characteristic
distribution of neuronal cell types and connections
with other cortical and subcortical regions. There
are direct connections between different cortical
areas and indirect connections via the thalamus.
Layer I, the molecular layer
Layer II, the external granular layer
Layer III, the external pyramidal layer
Layer IV, the internal granular layer
Layer V, the internal pyramidal layer
Layer VI, the polymorphic or multiform layer
o Cortical neurons are generated within the
ventricular zone. The glial fibers produced in the
first divisions of the progenitor cells are radially
oriented, spanning the thickness of the cortex from
the ventricular zone to the outer pial surface, and
provide scaffolding for the migration of neurons
outwards from the ventricular zone.
http://cercor.oxfordjournals.org/
"Patricia Goldman-Rakic: 1937-2003". Oxford University Press.
NEUROHISTOLOGY
Nissl-stained
motor cortex
Nissl-stained
visual cortex
Golgi-stained
motor cortex
5. The layered structure of the mature
cerebral cortex is formed during
development, in an inside-out order.
The humans have cortical thicknesses of
2.3—2.8 mm. There is an approximately
logarithmic relationship between brain
weight and cortical thickness.
The thickness of different cortical areas
varies but in general, sensory cortex is
thinner than motor cortex.
*positive association between the cortical
thickness and intelligence.
*somatosensory cortex is thicker in
migraine sufferers, though it is not known if
this is the result of or the cause of them.
*polymicrogyria where there are four layers
instead of six, is in some instances seen to
be related to dyslexia.
http://cercor.oxfordjournals.org/
"Patricia Goldman-Rakic: 1937-2003". Oxford University Press.
NEUROHISTOLOGY
6. DEFINING THE LOBES
central (rolandic)
sulcus
sylvian (lateral) sulcus
frontal lobe
temporal lobe
occipital
lobe
parietal lobe
7. DEVELOPMENT OF SULCI
Source: Ono, 1990
Sulci appear at predictable points in fetal development with the most
prominent sulci (e.g., Sylvian fissure) appearing first.
11. deep, mostly horizontal
separates temporal lobe from parietal and frontal lobes
appears around the 14th gestational week
side branches - the ascending ramus and the horizontal
ramus, subdivide the inferior frontal gyrus and also
contains the transverse temporal gyri.
due to a phenomenon called Yakovlevian torque, the
lateral sulcus is often longer and less curved on the left
hemisphere than on the right.
Sylvian Fissure
SYLVIAN FISSURE (OR LATERAL SULCUS)
12. PARIETO-OCCIPITAL FISSURE
often Y-shaped from sagittal view, X-shaped in
horizontal and coronal views
The lateral part of the fissure is situated about 5
cm in front of the occipital pole of the hemisphere,
and measures about 1.25 cm in length.
The medial part of the fissure runs downward and
forward as a deep cleft on the medial surface of the
hemisphere, and joins the calcarine fissure It marks
the boundary between the cuneus and precuneus,
and also between the parietal and occipital lobes.
13. CALCARINE SULCUS
Calcarine sulcus (blue)
located at the caudal end of the medial surface
of the brain
it is joined at an acute angle by the medial part
of the parieto-occipital sulcus.
contains primary visual cortex V1
Cuneus (pink)
-visual areas on medial side above
calcarine (lower visual field)
Lingual gyrus (yellow)
-visual areas on medial side below
calcarine and above collateral sulcus
(upper visual field)
14. COLLATERAL SULCUS
divides lingual (yellow) and parahippocampal (green) gyri
from fusiform gyrus (pink)
it lies below and lateral to the calcarine fissure, from which
it is separated by the lingual grus; in front, it is situated
between the phg and the anterior part of the fusiform gyrus.
15. CINGULATE SULCUS
divides cingulate gyrus (turquoise) from precuneus (purple) and paracentral
lobule (gold)
The cingulate sulcus is on the medial wall of the cerebrum. The frontal and
parietal lobes are separated from the cingulate gyrus by the cingulate sulcus.
16. INTRAPARIETAL SULCUS
anterior end usually intersects with inferior postcentral
sulcus (or the ascending intraparietal sulcus)
posterior end usually forms a T-junction with the
transverse occipital sulcus (just posterior to the parieto-
occipital fissure)
IPS divides the superior parietal lobule from the inferior
parietal lobule (angular gyrus, gold, and supramarginal
gyrus, lime)
POF
17. CENTRAL, POSTCENTRAL AND PRECENTRAL SULCI
Central Sulcus (red)
-usually freestanding (no intersections)
-just anterior to ascending cingulate
Postcentral Sulcus (blue)
-often in two parts (superior and inferior)
-often intersects with intraparietal sulcus
-marks posterior end of postcentral
gyrus (somatosensory strip, purple)
Precentral Sulcus (green)
-often in two parts (superior and inferior)
-intersects with superior frontal sulcus (T-
junction)
-marks anterior end of precentral gyrus
(motor strip, yellow)
ascending band
of the cingulate
18. IDENTIFICATION OF CENTRAL SULCUS
The CS starts in or near the
superomedial border and runs
downwards and forwards for
about 8 to 10 cm to end
slightly above the posterior
ramus of the lateral sulcus,
from which it is always
separated by an arched gyrus.
It makes an angle of about 70
degrees with the median
plane.
It demarcates the primary
motor and somatosensory
areas of the cortex.
Radiologically the CS is an
important landmark. It separates
the frontal from the parietal lobes
and is a landmark to consider
when localizing brain lesions.
There are various shapes of the
CS. The most common patterns
have been described as “omega”
shaped, or “lambda” shaped.
These shapes are not so common
and the pattern may vary so much
that it is almost impossible to have
any certainty in identifying the CS
based purely on these patterns.
19. The CS is the only
sulcus that divides the
brain at its superior
surface. Thus, it is the
only sulcus that lies in
the coronal plane that
runs from the lateral part
of the brain to the
midline.
The CS can be identified
by examining axial slices.
Looking at a normalized
brain, the CS is the
easiest to spot on an axial
slice with a Z-coordinate
(superior –inferior) around
60 mm above the AC-PC
plane.
IDENTIFICATION OF CENTRAL SULCUS
ascending band
of the cingulate
20. 1. Superior frontal sulcus (PreCS sign): The posterior
end of the superior frontal sulcus joins the
precentral sulcus in 85%.
2. Sigmoid “Hook”: Hook like configuration of the
posterior surface of the precentral gyrus. The
“hook” corresponds to the motor hand area and is
well seen on CT (89%) and MRI (98%).
3. Pars bracket sign: The paired pars marginalis form
a “bracket” to each side of the IH fissure at or
behind the CS (96%).
4. Bifid post-CS sign: The post-CS is bifid (85%). The
bifid post-CS encloses the lateral end of the pars
marginalis (88%).
5. Thin post-CG sign: The postcentral gyrus is thinner
than the precentral gyrus (98%)
6. Intraparietal sulcus (IPS): In axial MRI, the IPS
intersects the post-CS (99%).
7. Midline sulcus sign: The most prominent convexity
sulcus that reaches the midline interhemispheric
fissure is the CS (70%).
IDENTIFICATION OF CENTRAL SULCUS
21. NP/MG
Superior frontal sulcus - preCS sign
the posterior end of the superior frontal sulcus joins
the precentral sulcus in 85%
THE CENTRAL SULCUS (CS)
Precentral sulcus
Superior frontal
sulcus
Precentral gyrus Central sulcus
Superior frontal gyrus
Superior frontal sulcus
Precentral sulcus
Precentral gyrus
22. NP/MGH
• Sigmoid “Hook”
– hooklike configuration
of the posterior
surface of the
precentral gyrus
– the “hook”
corresponds to the
motor hand area.
– The “hook” is well
seen on CT (89%)
and MRI (98%).
The Central Sulcus (CS)
Precentral sulcus
Central sulcus
23. NP/MG
pars bracket sign
The paired pars
marginalis form a
“bracket” to each
side of the
interhemispheric
fissure at or behind
the central sulcus
(96%).
THE CENTRAL SULCUS (CS)
Precentral sulcus
Superior frontal
sulcus
Precentral gyrus
Central sulcus
Pars bracket Paracentral lobule
24. NP/MGH
• pars bracket sign
The Central Sulcus (CS)
Precentral sulcus
Superior frontal
sulcus
Precentral gyrus
Central sulcus
Pars bracketPars bracket
25. NP/MG
Bifid post-CS sign
the post-CS is bifid (85%).
The bifid post-CS encloses the lateral end of the
pars marginalis (88%).
THE CENTRAL SULCUS (CS)
Precentral sulcus
Precentral gyrus
Central sulcus
Postcentral sulcus
Pars bracket
27. NP/MGH
• Thin post-CG sign
– the postcentral gyrus is
thinner than the precentral
gyrus (98%).
The Central Sulcus (CS)
Precentral gyrus
Postcentral gyrus
28. NP/MGH
• Intraparietal Sulcus (IPS) and the post-CS
– in axial MRI, the IPS intersects the post-CS (99%).
The Central Sulcus (CS)
Pars bracket
IPS
Postcentral sulcus
IPS
Pars bracket
30. NP/MGH
Precentral sulcus
Superior frontal
sulcus
Precentral gyrus
Central sulcus
Superior frontal gyrus
• Midline Sulcus sign
– the most prominent
convexity sulcus that
reaches the midline
interhemispheric
fissure is the CS
(70%).
The Central Sulcus (CS)
32. SUPERIOR AND INFERIOR TEMPORAL SULCI
Superior Temporal Sulcus (red)
-divides superior temporal gyrus (peach) from middle temporal gyrus (lime)
Inferior Temporal Sulcus (blue)
-not usually very continuous
-divides middle temporal gyrus from inferior temporal gyrus (lavender)
33. SUPERIOR AND INFERIOR FRONTAL SULCI
Superior Frontal Sulcus (red)
-divides superior frontal gyrus (mocha) from middle frontal gyrus (pink)
Inferior Frontal Sulcus (blue)
-divides middle frontal gyrus from inferior frontal gyrus (gold)
orbital gyrus (green) and frontal pole (gray) also shown
Frontal Eye fields lie at this junction
34. MEDIAL FRONTAL SULCUS
lies between the mid-sagittal line and the Superior Frontal sulcus and
has the Precentral sulcus as its posterior margin
The portion on the lateral surface of the hemisphere is usually more or
less completely subdivided into an upper and a lower part by an
antero-posterior sulcus, the paramedial sulcus, which, however, is
frequently interrupted by bridging gyri.
frontal pole (gray) and orbital gyrus (green) also shown
54. NP/MGH
Postcentral sulcus
Superior frontal sulcus
Central sulcus
Intraparietal sulcus
Superior frontal gyrus
Middle frontal gyrus
Superior parietal gyrus
Centrum semiovale
Parietooccipital sulcus
Precuneus
Angular gyrus
Central sulcus
Inferior frontal gyrus
Supramarginal gyrus
Postcentral sulcus
55. NP/MGH
Postcentral sulcus
Central sulcus
Superior frontal sulcus
Pars marginalis
Intraparietal sulcus
Superior frontal gyrus
Middle frontal gyrus
Superior parietal gyrus
Angular gyrus
Supramarginal gyrus
Intraparietal sulcus
Central sulcus
56. NP/MGH
Central sulcus
Postcentral sulcus
Superior frontal sulcus
Precentral sulcus
Pars marginalis
Intraparietal sulcus
Superior frontal gyrus
Middle frontal gyrus
Superior parietal gyrus
Angular gyrus
Postcentral gyrus
Supramarginal gyrus
Precentral gyrus
57. NP/MGH
Central sulcus
Postcentral sulcus
Superior frontal sulcus
Precentral sulcus
Pars marginalis
Intraparietal sulcus
Superior frontal gyrus
Middle frontal gyrus
Precuneus
Paracentral lobule
Superior parietal gyrus
60. NP/MGH
Forceps
minor
Olfactory SulcusLateral orbital gyrus
Inferior Frontal gyrus
Superior Frontal gyrus
Superior Frontal sulcus
Middle Frontal gyrus
Medial Orbital gyrus Gyrus rectus
Anterior Orbital gyrus
Lateral orbital sulcus
61. NP/MGH
Inferior Frontal gyrus
pars opercularis
Superior Frontal
gyrus Middle Frontal gyrus
Sylvian Fissure
Posterior Orbital gyrus
Inferior Temporal gyrus
Cingulate gyrusCircular insular sulcus
Olfactory Sulcus
Superior Temporal gyrus
Middle Temporal gyrus
Inferior Frontal sulcusshort insular gyrus
Gyrus rectus
Medial Orbital gyrus
79. VENOUS SINUSES
Cerebral veins drain into
venous sinuses and into
internal jugular vein
Superficial veins lie on
surface of cortex and drain
into superior sagittal sinus
Deep veins drain internal
structures and empty into the
straight sinus
See Nolte, J. The Human Brain
80. VENOUS SINUSES
The walls of the dural venous sinuses
are composed of dura mater lined with
endothelium, a specialized layer of
flattened cells found in blood vessels.
They differ from other blood
vessels in that they lack a full
set of vessel layers (e.g.
tunica media) characteristic of
arteries and veins.
It also lacks valves as seen in
veins.
The nervous system is derived from the ectoderm. In the third week of development the neuroectoderm appears and forms the neural plate along the dorsal side of the embryo. A groove forms in the neural plate and, by week four of development, the neural plate wraps in on itself to make a hollow neural tube. The telencephalon, which eventually encompasses the two lateral ventricles, gives rise to the Basal Ganglia and the Limbic System
The great longitudinal fissure (or longitudinal cerebral fissure, or interhemispheric fissure) is the deep groove that separates the two hemispheres of the brain.
The falx cerebri lies within the medial longitudinal fissure.
A cortical homunculus is a pictorial representation of the anatomical divisions of the primary motor and primary somatosensory cortex where in the amount of cerebral tissue or cortex devoted to a given body region is proportional to how richly innervated that region is, not to its size.