Central sulcus

Central Sulcus

The Central Sulcus (pronunciation: /ˈsɛntrəl ˈsʌlkəs/), also known as the Fissure of Rolando or Rolandic Fissure, is a prominent landmark of the brain's cerebral cortex.

Etymology

The term "Central Sulcus" is derived from Latin, where "sulcus" means groove or furrow. It is named after Luigi Rolando, an Italian anatomist, hence the alternative name "Fissure of Rolando".

Anatomy

The Central Sulcus separates the frontal lobe and the parietal lobe, two of the brain's four lobes. Anterior to (in front of) the Central Sulcus lies the precentral gyrus, which is primarily responsible for motor control. Posterior to (behind) the Central Sulcus is the postcentral gyrus, which is primarily responsible for somatosensory information processing.

Function

The Central Sulcus plays a crucial role in separating the motor cortex, located in the precentral gyrus, from the sensory cortex in the postcentral gyrus. This anatomical distinction corresponds to the functional differentiation between motor and sensory processes in the human brain.

Related Terms

Cerebral Cortex: The outermost layer of the brain, playing a key role in memory, attention, perception, cognition, awareness, thought, language, and consciousness.
Frontal Lobe: The part of the brain associated with motor control, decision making, problem solving, and conscious thought.
Parietal Lobe: The part of the brain involved in processing sensory information from various parts of the body.
Precentral Gyrus: The portion of the frontal lobe responsible for motor control.
Postcentral Gyrus: The primary region of the brain for somatosensory information processing.