Rolando's fissure

Rolando's fissure, also known as the central sulcus, is a prominent landmark of the human brain's cerebral cortex. It separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe, two of the brain's major lobes. This fissure plays a crucial role in dividing the brain into functional and anatomical regions.

Anatomy

Rolando's fissure begins near the top of the brain, just behind the frontal lobe, and extends downward and forward, ending near the Sylvian fissure (lateral sulcus). It is bordered anteriorly by the precentral gyrus, which is involved in motor control, and posteriorly by the postcentral gyrus, which is responsible for processing somatosensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain.

Function

The central sulcus is a critical structure in the brain, marking the division between the motor and sensory regions. The precentral gyrus, located just in front of Rolando's fissure, contains the primary motor cortex, which controls voluntary movements of the opposite side of the body. Conversely, the postcentral gyrus, immediately behind the fissure, houses the primary somatosensory cortex, which receives and interprets sensory information from the body.

Clinical Significance

Due to its involvement in both motor and sensory functions, damage to the area around Rolando's fissure can lead to significant neurological deficits. Conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and tumors affecting this region can result in paralysis, loss of sensation, or both, typically on the side of the body opposite the lesion.

History

Rolando's fissure is named after Luigi Rolando, a 19th-century Italian anatomist who made significant contributions to the study of brain anatomy. His work in identifying this fissure helped lay the foundation for our understanding of the functional organization of the brain.