Fissure (anatomy)

Fissure (Anatomy)

A fissure in anatomy refers to a deep groove or cleft in the body's tissues or organs. These grooves can be normal anatomical structures or can be the result of a disease or injury. Fissures are found in various parts of the body, including the brain, liver, and lungs.

Types of Fissures

Brain Fissures

In the brain, fissures are deep grooves that separate large regions of the brain. The most prominent of these is the longitudinal fissure, which divides the brain into the left and right cerebral hemispheres. Another important brain fissure is the Sylvian fissure (also known as the lateral fissure), which separates the frontal lobe and parietal lobe from the temporal lobe.

File:Gray727-Bain.png

The brain showing the longitudinal fissure and lateral fissure.

Liver Fissures

The liver also has several fissures, including the portal fissure, which carries the portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct. The fissure of ligamentum venosum and the fissure of ligamentum teres are also found in the liver.

Lung Fissures

In the lungs, fissures separate the different lobes of the lung. The right lung has two fissures - the horizontal fissure and the oblique fissure, dividing it into three lobes. The left lung has one oblique fissure, dividing it into two lobes.

File:Gray949-Lungs.png

The lungs showing the oblique and horizontal fissures.

Clinical Significance

Fissures can also refer to abnormal grooves or tears in the body's tissues, often caused by injury or disease. For example, an anal fissure is a tear in the lining of the anus, which can cause pain and bleeding. Similarly, a coronary fissure in the heart can lead to a myocardial infarction or heart attack.

See Also

• Sulcus (neuroanatomy)
• Gyrus
• Anal fissure
• Coronary fissure