Sylvian fissure

Sylvian fissure (also known as the lateral sulcus or lateral fissure) is a prominent structure in the human brain. It separates the frontal lobe and parietal lobe above from the temporal lobe below. It is one of the earliest-developing sulci of the human brain. It first appears around the fourteenth gestational week.

Anatomy

The Sylvian fissure begins at the base of the brain in an area called the Broca's area, which is associated with speech production. It extends laterally and posteriorly on the lateral surface of the cerebral hemispheres. The Sylvian fissure contains the middle cerebral artery, one of the three major paired arteries that supply blood to the cerebrum.

Clinical significance

Due to its location and the important structures it contains, the Sylvian fissure is often involved in various medical conditions. For example, an aneurysm in the middle cerebral artery can lead to a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a type of stroke. The Sylvian fissure is also a common site for the spread of meningitis and encephalitis.

See also

• Cerebral sulcus
• Cerebral hemisphere
• Cerebral cortex

References

Sylvian fissure Resources
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