Central Sulcus, Superior View

Description

Central sulcus (sulcus centralis, fissure of Rolando) forms a prominent oblique groove on the lateral convexity of the cerebral hemisphere, running from the superomedial margin inferiorly and anteriorly toward the lateral sulcus. Immediately anterior lies the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe, and immediately posterior lies the postcentral gyrus of the parietal lobe, their cortical folds converging toward the sulcal fundus. Superiorly the sulcus approaches the interhemispheric fissure, while its inferior end typically stops short of the Sylvian fissure, leaving a short bridge of cortex at the opercular region. This is a landmark sulcus. Identifying the central sulcus is a daily requirement in functional neuroanatomy because it separates primary motor cortex (Brodmann area 4) from primary somatosensory cortex (areas 3, 1, and 2), anchoring discussions of the motor and sensory homunculi and their vascular territories. Lesions anterior to the sulcus commonly present with contralateral weakness, while lesions posterior to it more often cause contralateral sensory loss, a distinction that matters in middle cerebral artery infarcts, parasagittal anterior cerebral artery strokes affecting the leg area, and peri-Rolandic tumors. The fixed lateral perspective is well suited to teaching surface landmarks used in operative planning, including the relationship of the sulcus to the superior sagittal sinus region superiorly and to the opercular cortex inferiorly. Neuroscience courses, neuroradiology atlases, and neurosurgical patient education materials often need a clean surface reference for correlating CT and MRI localization with cortical function, and this illustration supports that correlation without distracting deep structures. It also fits well in figures explaining Rolandic (peri-central) epilepsy, cortical mapping, and craniotomy planning around the precentral and postcentral gyri. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.