Lateral sulcus

Lateral Sulcus

The Lateral Sulcus (also known as the Sylvian fissure or lateral fissure) is one of the most prominent structures in the human brain. It is a deep fissure in each hemisphere that separates the frontal lobe and parietal lobe above from the temporal lobe below.

Anatomy

The lateral sulcus begins near the base of the brain in the temporal lobe and extends posteriorly and superiorly into the parietal lobe. It is one of the earliest-developing sulci of the human brain. It is an asymmetrical structure, with the right hemisphere typically exhibiting a longer and deeper sulcus than the left.

Function

The lateral sulcus is associated with separating the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe. Each of these lobes is responsible for different functions. The frontal lobe is involved in reasoning, planning, parts of speech and movement, emotions, and problem-solving, while the parietal lobe is involved in movement, orientation, recognition, and perception of stimuli. The temporal lobe is involved in perception and recognition of auditory stimuli, memory, and speech.

Clinical Significance

Alterations in the structure or depth of the lateral sulcus may be associated with certain neurological or psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia and autism. However, more research is needed to fully understand these associations.

See Also

• Brain
• Frontal lobe
• Parietal lobe
• Temporal lobe
• Sulcus (neuroanatomy)