Corpus: Lateral sulcus

The lateral sulcus is an anatomically prominent cerebral furrow (sulcus cerebri) that separates the temporal lobe from overlying parts of the frontal and parietal lobes.

As an anatomical gap, the lateral sulcus separates the gyri temporales transversi (Heschl's transverse convolutions) of the auditory cortex, which extend into the depths of the telencephalon, from the overlying structures of the frontal and parietal lobes. A superficial cerebral vein, the Vena media superficialis cerebri (Vena Sylvii), runs along the lateral sulcus.

The lateral sulcus can be divided into a superficial and a deep section.

Superficial section[Bearbeiten]

The superficial section begins at the anterior clinoid process and runs along the sphenoid ridge. Laterally, the anterior horizontal and anterior ascending branch (ramus) of the cerebral furrow arise. The lateral sulcus then continues into the posterior branch.

The horizontal ramus separates the anterior pars orbitalis from the posterior pars opercularis of the frontal operculum. The ramus ascendens anterior separates the pars opercularis from the pars triangularis of the inferior frontal gyrus. The posterior pars begins at the level of the pterion. Its end is enclosed by the supramarginal gyrus of the lower parietal lobe.

Deep section[Bearbeiten]

The deep section of the lateral sulcus is also known as the sylvian cistern (cisterna sylvii). It consists of the anterior sphenoidal compartment and the posterior operculoinsular compartment.

Anterior sphenoidal compartment[Bearbeiten]

The anterior sphenoidal compartment forms the narrow space between the frontal and temporal lobes, which connects to the cisterna carotica and along which the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery passes until it turns off at the limen insulae.

Operculoinsular compartment[Bearbeiten]

The operculoinsular compartment runs behind the insular limb and is divided into opercular and insular columns.

The more medially situated insular fissure is located on the lateral surface of the insula and contains the M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery and the insular veins. The upper insular limb of the insular fissure separates the insula from the medial surface of the frontoparietal operculum, the lower limb separates the insula from the medial surface of the temporal operculum. The insular fissure ends as the sulcus circularis insulae.

The opercular cleft is located laterally between the opercula. The M3 segment of the middle cerebral artery runs here.