Brodmann Areas, Lateral View

Description

Cerebral cortex on the lateral convexity is partitioned into Brodmann areas across the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes in a single lateral profile. Area 4 occupies the precentral gyrus anterior to the central sulcus, while areas 3, 1, and 2 align on the postcentral gyrus immediately posterior to it, and association cortex (including areas 5 and 7) extends superiorly within the parietal lobe. Inferiorly, the lateral sulcus (Sylvian fissure) separates frontal and parietal opercular regions from the superior temporal gyrus, where auditory cortex (areas 41 and 42) and perisylvian language-related cortex (classically areas 22, 44, and 45) sit in close apposition. Posteriorly, visual association areas (18 and 19) surround primary visual cortex (17) on the occipital pole and lateral occipital surface. Boundaries are emphasized by their relationship to recognizable sulci and gyri. Brodmann maps still matter because neurologic deficits and cortical stimulation findings often localize better to cytoarchitectonic regions than to lobe-level labels, and this lateral projection keeps the peri-Rolandic cortex, perisylvian region, and occipital cortex in the same frame for teaching and clinical correlation. Stroke affecting the superior division of the middle cerebral artery commonly compromises lateral frontal and parietal territories, intersecting motor and somatosensory areas, while inferior division infarcts more often involve lateral temporal cortex and can produce aphasia in the dominant hemisphere. A good lateral chart also supports preoperative planning discussions around lesion location relative to area 4, area 6 (premotor), and frontal eye fields (area 8). Keep orientation honest. Use this illustration in neuroanatomy and neuroscience courses when introducing cortical localization, and in neurology, neuroradiology, and neurosurgery materials that pair cortical maps with lesion-based syndromes, EEG electrode context, or functional imaging overlays. It also works well in patient-facing stroke education when explaining why a cortical territory maps to a specific deficit. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.