The lateral sulcus (or lateral fissure, also called Sylvian fissure, after Franciscus Sylvius) is the most prominent sulcus of each cerebral hemisphere in the human brain. The lateral sulcus is a deep fissure in each hemisphere that separates the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe. The insular cortex lies deep within the lateral sulcus.
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👉 Lateral sulcus in the context of Auditory cortex
The auditory cortex is the part of the temporal lobe that processes auditory information in humans and many other vertebrates. It is a part of the auditory system, performing basic and higher functions in hearing, such as possible relations to language switching. It is located bilaterally, roughly at the upper sides of the temporal lobes – in humans, curving down and onto the medial surface, on the superior temporal plane, within the lateral sulcus and comprising parts of the transverse temporal gyri, and the superior temporal gyrus, including the planum polare and planum temporale (roughly Brodmann areas 41 and 42, and partially 22).
The auditory cortex takes part in the spectrotemporal, meaning involving time and frequency, analysis of the inputs passed on from the ear. Nearby brain areas then filter and pass on the information to the two streams of speech processing. The auditory cortex's function may help explain why particular brain damage leads to particular outcomes. For example, unilateral destruction, in a region of the auditory pathway above the cochlear nucleus, results in slight hearing loss, whereas bilateral destruction results in cortical deafness.
In this Dossier
- ⭐ Core Definition: Lateral sulcus
- 👉 Lateral sulcus in the context of Auditory cortex
- Lateral sulcus in the context of Frontal lobe
- Lateral sulcus in the context of Insular cortex
- Lateral sulcus in the context of Inferior frontal gyrus
- Lateral sulcus in the context of Brodmann area 44
- Lateral sulcus in the context of Brodmann area 45
- Lateral sulcus in the context of Sulcus (morphology)
Lateral sulcus in the context of Frontal lobe
The frontal lobe is the largest lobe of the vertebrate brain and the most anterior lobe of the cerebral hemispheres. The anatomical groove known as the central sulcus separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe, and the deeper anatomical groove called the lateral sulcus separates the frontal lobe from the temporal lobe. The most anterior ventral, orbital end of the frontal lobe is known as the frontal pole, which is one of the three so-called poles of the cerebrum.
The outer, multifurrowed surface of the frontal lobe is called the frontal cortex. Like all cortical tissue, the frontal cortex is a thin layer of gray matter making up the outer portion of the brain. The frontal cortex is further subdivided into several anatomical and functional structures, including those of the motor cortex (the premotor cortex, the nonprimary motor cortex, the primary motor cortex) and the prefrontal cortex (e.g., the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex).
Lateral sulcus in the context of Insular cortex
The insular cortex (also insula and insular lobe) is a portion of the cerebral cortex folded deep within the lateral sulcus (the fissure separating the temporal lobe from the parietal and frontal lobes) within each hemisphere of the mammalian brain.
The insulae are believed to be involved in consciousness and play a role in diverse functions usually linked to emotion, interoception, or the regulation of the body's homeostasis. These functions include compassion, empathy, taste, perception, motor control, self-awareness, cognitive functioning, interpersonal relationships, and awareness of homeostatic emotions such as hunger, pain and fatigue. In relation to these, it is involved in psychopathology.
Lateral sulcus in the context of Inferior frontal gyrus
The inferior frontal gyrus (IFG; also gyrus frontalis inferior) is the lowest positioned gyrus of the frontal gyri, of the frontal lobe, and is part of the prefrontal cortex.
Its superior border is the inferior frontal sulcus (which divides it from the middle frontal gyrus), its inferior border is the lateral sulcus (which divides it from the superior temporal gyrus) and its posterior border is the inferior precentral sulcus. Above it is the middle frontal gyrus, behind it is the precentral gyrus.
Lateral sulcus in the context of Brodmann area 44
Brodmann area 44, or BA44, is part of the frontal cortex in the human brain. Situated just anterior to premotor cortex (BA6) and on the lateral surface, inferior to BA9.
This area is also known as pars opercularis (of the inferior frontal gyrus), and it refers to a subdivision of the cytoarchitecturally defined frontal region of cerebral cortex. In the human it corresponds approximately to the opercular part of the inferior frontal gyrus. Thus, it is bounded caudally by the inferior precentral sulcus (H) and rostrally by the anterior ascending limb of lateral sulcus (H). It surrounds the diagonal sulcus (H). In the depth of the lateral sulcus it borders on the insula. Cytoarchitectonically it is bounded caudally and dorsally by the agranular frontal area 6, dorsally by the granular frontal area 9 and rostrally by the triangular part of inferior frontal gyrus (Brodmann area 45 BA 45).
Lateral sulcus in the context of Brodmann area 45
Brodmann area 45 (BA45), is part of the frontal cortex in the human brain. It is situated on the lateral surface, inferior to BA9 and adjacent to BA46.
This area in humans occupies the triangular part of inferior frontal gyrus (H) and, surrounding the anterior horizontal limb of the lateral sulcus (H), a portion of the orbital part of the inferior frontal gyrus (H). Bounded caudally by the anterior ascending limb of the lateral sulcus (H), it borders on the insula in the depth of the lateral sulcus.
Lateral sulcus in the context of Sulcus (morphology)
In biological morphology and anatomy, a sulcus (pl. sulci) is a furrow or fissure (Latin: fissura; pl. fissurae). It may be a groove, natural division, deep furrow, elongated cleft, or tear in the surface of a limb or an organ, most notably on the surface of the brain, but also in the lungs, certain muscles (including the heart), as well as in bones and elsewhere. Many sulci are the product of a surface fold or junction, such as in the gums, where they fold around the neck of the tooth.
In invertebrate zoology, a sulcus is a fold, groove, or boundary, especially at the edges of sclerites or between segments.