Central sulcus

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Central sulcus
Central sulcus diagram.png
The lateral surface of the left cerebral hemisphere. (Central sulcus shown in red)
LobesCaptsLateral.png
The lateral surface of the right cerebral hemisphere. The central sulcus is labeled on the top center, in red. The central sulcus separates the parietal lobe (blue) and the frontal lobe (lime green).
Details
Location Cerebral cortex
Identifiers
Latin sulcus centralis cerebri
NeuroNames 48
NeuroLex ID birnlex_4035
TA98 A14.1.09.103
TA2 5435
FMA 83752
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

In neuroanatomy, the central sulcus (also central fissure, fissure of Rolando, or Rolandic fissure, after Luigi Rolando) is a sulcus, or groove, in the cerebral cortex in the brains of vertebrates. It is sometimes confused with the longitudinal fissure.

Contents

The central sulcus is a prominent landmark of the brain, separating the parietal lobe from the frontal lobe and the primary motor cortex from the primary somatosensory cortex.

Evolution of the central sulcus

The evolution of the central sulcus is theorized to have occurred in mammals when the complete dissociation of the original somatosensory cortex from its mirror duplicate developed in placental mammals such as primates, [1] though the development did not stop there as time progressed the distinction between the two cortices grew.

Evolution in primates

The central sulcus is more prominent in apes as a result of fine-tuning of the motor system in apes. [1] Hominins (bipedal apes) continued this trend through increased use of their hands due to the advent of bipedalism. This allowed for their hands to be freed up from their use in locomotion to focus on more complex manipulative actions such as grasping, tool use, tool making, and many others. [2]

Previous studies have also shown that the location where the split in the central sulcus occurs is at the division point between the wrist and the individual digits in primary motor cortex, further implicating the relation between the development of this region through the use of their digits. [2] The KNOB is also a suggested cortical substrate of the hand, as there have been anatomical asymmetries which have been linked to hand preference and skill, further suggesting the development of hands in the formation of the central sulcus seeing as the KNOB is the central portion of the central sulcus folded over the buried gyrus. [2]  

Development in humans

The central sulcus begins developing around 13 weeks of gestational age and undergoes the fastest period of growth between 13 and 15 weeks of gestational age. However, the most active period of development is at approximately 18 to 19 weeks of gestational age. This is determined by when there is the greatest amount of migration of neurons and fibers occurring. [3] It begins as a point or groove in the parasagittal region of the brain. It then becomes a distinct invagination that lengthens towards the lateral sulcus and towards the longitudinal fissure [4] at approximately 22 to 23 weeks of gestational age. [5]

Between 2 and 3 years of age, the landmark ‘Pli de Passage Frontoparietal Moyen’ (PPFM), which is a depression buried at the central part of the central sulcus, [6] begins to appear. At 3 years of age, the average depth curve of the central sulcus is similar to that of adults. [7]

Influences on development

The development of the shape of the central sulcus is influenced by both genetic and non-genetic factors. The deep structure of the central sulcus has been found to be more consistent in different brains than its superficial structure, suggesting that the superficial structure is more susceptible to non-genetic factors. [8]

The shape of the central sulcus has been found to be different between people of different biological sex. Those of male biological sex have been found to have a less convoluted (small fractal dimension) right anterior wall of the central sulcus. [9] In addition, while the width of the central sulcus varies, the central sulcus of males has shown to have a larger average width than the central sulcus of females. [10] However, this is specific to the right hemisphere since the central sulcus of the left hemisphere has not shown significant results regarding gender differences. With regard to gender differences between hemispheres, females have been shown to have a larger average width of the central sulcus on the left side compared to that of the central sulcus on the right side. [10]

Age also affects the shape of the central sulcus. In adults, the distance between the anterior and posterior walls (sulcal span) increases, while the surface area of walls, the sulcal length of the posterior wall, and the convolution (fractal dimension) for the right posterior wall of the central sulcus decrease. The posterior walls of the central sulcus appear to be affected more with age. [9] Differences between genders regarding the average width of the central sulcus as one ages has also been shown. [10] The average width of the central sulcus in males tends to increase more rapidly over time than that of females. [10]

The surface area of the central sulcus has proven to have an effect on the handedness of an individual. [11] Studies have found that when the central sulcus is larger in the left hemisphere, the individual tends to me more right hand dominant. This is also true about the central sulcus for left handed individuals; there is a greater surface area of the central sulcus in the right hemisphere. While the surface area of the central sulcus is shown to affect the handedness of an individual, it is not understood what the shape of the central sulcus affects as it is not widely explored. There is a region of the central sulcus, called the “hand knob”, which is a notch in the area of the hand motor region. The position of this “knob” can be indicative as well of someone's handedness. [11]

As motor functions develop, it is expected that the shape of the central sulcus will change. This is due to the role of the central sulcus in separating the primary motor cortex and primary somatosensory cortex. [7] For example, differences along the central sulcus have been reported in musicians, particularly with regard to an omega formation along the center portion of the central sulcus, commonly referred to as the "hand knob". [12] Among musicians who specialize in string instruments, this omega formation is specific to the right central sulcus. However, among pianists, this omega formation occurs on both sides but more prominently on the left side.

Clinical significance

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been associated with sensorimotor deficits and the central sulcus divides both somatosensory and primary motor areas prompting  research into how the shape of the central sulcus and ADHD may alter brain development in these individuals. [13] The cortical thickness and average and maximum depth of the central sulcus has been shown to be larger for ADHD individuals when compared to normal individuals. [13] Additionally, changes in the middle sections of the central sulcus have been linked to children with ADHD. [13]

Williams syndrome

The morphology of the central sulcus has been suggested to play a role in individuals with the genetic condition known as Williams syndrome. [14] The foreshortening of the central sulcus has been found to be an abnormality associated with this syndrome. [14] This can be seen with the abnormal dorsal end of the central sulcus in individuals with Williams syndrome. [14] However, the abnormal dorsal end of the central sulcus has not been found to be linked to impaired general intelligence. [14] The functional importance of this abnormal part of the central sulcus is still not fully understood though. [14]

Severe cerebral small vessel disease

The shape of the central sulcus has been linked to the degree of disability in individuals who have a small subcortical ischemic stroke as a result of severe cerebral small vessel disease. [15] However, the severity of the disability has been found to not be fully dependent upon the morphology of the central sulcus. [15] It was found to possibly be due to the hand knobs’ vertical position and size. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cerebral hemisphere</span> Left and right cerebral hemispheres of the brain

The vertebrate cerebrum (brain) is formed by two cerebral hemispheres that are separated by a groove, the longitudinal fissure. The brain can thus be described as being divided into left and right cerebral hemispheres. Each of these hemispheres has an outer layer of grey matter, the cerebral cortex, that is supported by an inner layer of white matter. In eutherian (placental) mammals, the hemispheres are linked by the corpus callosum, a very large bundle of nerve fibers. Smaller commissures, including the anterior commissure, the posterior commissure and the fornix, also join the hemispheres and these are also present in other vertebrates. These commissures transfer information between the two hemispheres to coordinate localized functions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parietal lobe</span> Part of the brain responsible for sensory input and some language processing

The parietal lobe is one of the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex in the brain of mammals. The parietal lobe is positioned above the temporal lobe and behind the frontal lobe and central sulcus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Precuneus</span> Region of the parietal lobe of the brain

In neuroanatomy, the precuneus is the portion of the superior parietal lobule on the medial surface of each brain hemisphere. It is located in front of the cuneus. The precuneus is bounded in front by the marginal branch of the cingulate sulcus, at the rear by the parieto-occipital sulcus, and underneath by the subparietal sulcus. It is involved with episodic memory, visuospatial processing, reflections upon self, and aspects of consciousness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brodmann area 44</span> Brain area

Brodmann area 44, or BA44, is part of the frontal cortex in the human brain. Situated just anterior to premotor cortex (BA6) and on the lateral surface, inferior to BA9.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fusiform gyrus</span> Gyrus of the temporal and occipital lobes of the brain

The fusiform gyrus, also known as the lateral occipitotemporal gyrus,is part of the temporal lobe and occipital lobe in Brodmann area 37. The fusiform gyrus is located between the lingual gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus above, and the inferior temporal gyrus below. Though the functionality of the fusiform gyrus is not fully understood, it has been linked with various neural pathways related to recognition. Additionally, it has been linked to various neurological phenomena such as synesthesia, dyslexia, and prosopagnosia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lateral sulcus</span> Crevice in the brain separating the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal

The lateral sulcus is the most prominent sulcus of each cerebral hemisphere in the human brain. The lateral sulcus is a deep fissure in each hemisphere that separates the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe. The insular cortex lies deep within the lateral sulcus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Longitudinal fissure</span> Deep groove separating the two cerebral hemispheres of the vertebrate brain

The longitudinal fissure is the deep groove that separates the two cerebral hemispheres of the vertebrate brain. Lying within it is a continuation of the dura mater called the falx cerebri. The inner surfaces of the two hemispheres are convoluted by gyri and sulci just as is the outer surface of the brain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Insular cortex</span> Portion of the mammalian cerebral cortex

The insular cortex is a portion of the cerebral cortex folded deep within the lateral sulcus within each hemisphere of the mammalian brain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supramarginal gyrus</span> Gyrus of the parietal lobe of the brain

The supramarginal gyrus is a portion of the parietal lobe. This area of the brain is also known as Brodmann area 40 based on the brain map created by Korbinian Brodmann to define the structures in the cerebral cortex. It is probably involved with language perception and processing, and lesions in it may cause receptive aphasia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secondary somatosensory cortex</span>

The human secondary somatosensory cortex is a region of sensory cortex in the parietal operculum on the ceiling of the lateral sulcus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lobes of the brain</span> Parts of the cerebrum

The lobes of the brain are the four major identifiable regions of the human cerebral cortex, and they comprise the surface of each hemisphere of the cerebrum. The two hemispheres are roughly symmetrical in structure, and are connected by the corpus callosum. Some sources include the insula and limbic lobe but the limbic lobe incorporates parts of the other lobes. The lobes are large areas that are anatomically distinguishable, and are also functionally distinct. Each lobe of the brain has numerous ridges, or gyri, and furrows, sulci that constitute further subzones of the cortex. The expression "lobes of the brain" usually refers only to those of the cerebrum, not to the distinct areas of the cerebellum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parieto-occipital sulcus</span> Fold which separates the parietal and occipital lobes of the brain

In neuroanatomy, the parieto-occipital sulcus is a deep sulcus in the cerebral cortex that marks the boundary between the cuneus and precuneus, and also between the parietal and occipital lobes. Only a small part can be seen on the lateral surface of the hemisphere, its chief part being on the medial surface.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Posterior cingulate cortex</span> Caudal part of the cingulate cortex of the brain

The posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) is the caudal part of the cingulate cortex, located posterior to the anterior cingulate cortex. This is the upper part of the "limbic lobe". The cingulate cortex is made up of an area around the midline of the brain. Surrounding areas include the retrosplenial cortex and the precuneus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sulcus (neuroanatomy)</span> Fold in the surface of the brain

In neuroanatomy, a sulcus is a shallow depression or groove in the cerebral cortex. One or more sulci surround a gyrus, a ridge on the surface of the cortex, creating the characteristic folded appearance of the brain in humans and most other mammals. The larger sulci are also called fissures. The cortex develops in the fetal stage of corticogenesis, preceding the cortical folding stage known as gyrification. The large fissures and main sulci are the first to develop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intraparietal sulcus</span> Sulcus on the lateral surface of the parietal lobe

The intraparietal sulcus (IPS) is located on the lateral surface of the parietal lobe, and consists of an oblique and a horizontal portion. The IPS contains a series of functionally distinct subregions that have been intensively investigated using both single cell neurophysiology in primates and human functional neuroimaging. Its principal functions are related to perceptual-motor coordination and visual attention, which allows for visually-guided pointing, grasping, and object manipulation that can produce a desired effect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brain asymmetry</span> Term in human neuroanatomy referring to several things

In human neuroanatomy, brain asymmetry can refer to at least two quite distinct findings:

Gyrification is the process of forming the characteristic folds of the cerebral cortex. The peak of such a fold is called a gyrus, and its trough is called a sulcus. The neurons of the cerebral cortex reside in a thin layer of gray matter, only 2–4 mm thick, at the surface of the brain. Much of the interior volume is occupied by white matter, which consists of long axonal projections to and from the cortical neurons residing near the surface. Gyrification allows a larger cortical surface area, and hence greater cognitive functionality to fit inside a smaller cranium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lunate sulcus</span>

In brain anatomy, the lunate sulcus or simian sulcus, also known as the sulcus lunatus, is a fissure in the occipital lobe variably found in humans and more often larger when present in apes and monkeys. The lunate sulcus marks the transition between V1 and V2, the primary and secondary visual cortices.

Pain empathy is a specific variety of empathy that involves recognizing and understanding another person's pain.

An estimated 90% of the world's human population consider themselves to be right-handed. The human brain's control of motor function is a mirror image in terms of connectivity; the left hemisphere controls the right hand and vice versa. This theoretically means that the hemisphere contralateral to the dominant hand tends to be more dominant than the ipsilateral hemisphere, however this is not always the case and there are numerous other factors which contribute in complex ways to physical hand preference.

References

  1. 1 2 Mendoza, Germán; Merchant, Hugo (2014-11-01). "Motor system evolution and the emergence of high cognitive functions". Progress in Neurobiology. 122: 73–93. doi:10.1016/j.pneurobio.2014.09.001. ISSN   0301-0082. PMID   25224031. S2CID   34279360.
  2. 1 2 3 Hopkins, William D.; Meguerditchian, Adrien; Coulon, Olivier; Bogart, Stephanie; Mangin, Jean- François; Sherwood, Chet C.; Grabowski, Mark W.; Bennett, Allyson J.; Pierre, Peter J.; Fears, Scott; Woods, Roger (2014). "Evolution of the Central Sulcus Morphology in Primates". Brain, Behavior and Evolution. 84 (1): 19–30. doi:10.1159/000362431. ISSN   0006-8977. PMC   4166656 . PMID   25139259.
  3. ↑ Zhang, Haidong; Zhang, Zhonghe; Yin, Xuntao; Zhan, Jinfeng; Zhao, Zhenmei; Tang, Yuchun; Liu, Chao; Liu, Shuwei; Zhong, Shizhen (2016). "Early development of the fetal central sulcus on 7.0T magnetic resonance imaging". International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience. 48 (1): 18–23. doi:10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2015.10.006. ISSN   1873-474X. PMID   26562179. S2CID   5737573.
  4. ↑ Nishikuni, Koshiro; Ribas, Guilherme Carvalhal (2013-01-01). "Study of fetal and postnatal morphological development of the brain sulci: Laboratory investigation". Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. 11 (1): 1–11. doi: 10.3171/2012.9.PEDS12122 . ISSN   1933-0715. PMID   23140215.
  5. ↑ Jackowski, Andrea P; Schultz, Robert T. (2005-01-01). "Foreshortened Dorsal Extension of the Central Sulcus in Williams Syndrome". Cortex. 41 (3): 282–290. doi:10.1016/S0010-9452(08)70266-1. ISSN   0010-9452. PMID   15871594. S2CID   4476964.
  6. ↑ Hopkins, W. D.; Coulon, O.; Mangin, J. -F. (2010-12-01). "Observer-independent characterization of sulcal landmarks and depth asymmetry in the central sulcus of the chimpanzee brain". Neuroscience. 171 (2): 544–551. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.07.018. ISSN   0306-4522. PMC   2975865 . PMID   20813164.
  7. 1 2 Gajawelli, Niharika; Deoni, Sean; Dirks, Holly; Dean, Douglas; O'Muircheartaigh, Jonathan; Sawardekar, Siddhant; Ezis, Andrea; Wang, Yalin; Nelson, Marvin D.; Coulon, Olivier; Lepore, Natasha (August 2015). "Characterization of the central sulcus in the brain in early childhood". 2015 37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC). Vol. 2015. pp. 149–152. doi:10.1109/EMBC.2015.7318322. ISBN   978-1-4244-9271-8. PMC   6554208 . PMID   26736222.
  8. ↑ Le Goualher, Georges; Argenti, Anne Marie; Duyme, Michel; Baaré, William F. C.; Hulshoff Pol, H. E.; Boomsma, Dorret I.; Zouaoui, Abderrezak; Barillot, Christian; Evans, Alan C. (2000-05-01). "Statistical Sulcal Shape Comparisons: Application to the Detection of Genetic Encoding of the Central Sulcus Shape". NeuroImage. 11 (5): 564–574. doi:10.1006/nimg.2000.0559. ISSN   1053-8119. PMID   10806042. S2CID   14861519.
  9. 1 2 Li, Shuyu; Xia, Mingrui; Pu, Fang; Li, Deyu; Fan, Yubo; Niu, Haijun; Pei, Baoqing; He, Yong (2011-09-15). "Age-related changes in the surface morphology of the central sulcus". NeuroImage. 58 (2): 381–390. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.06.041. ISSN   1053-8119. PMID   21741481. S2CID   9455507.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Sun, Bo; Ge, Haitao; Tang, Yuchun; Hou, Zhongyu; Xu, Junhai; Lin, Xiangtao; Liu, Shuwei (August 2015). "Asymmetries of the central sulcus in young adults: Effects of gender, age and sulcal pattern". International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience. 44 (C): 65–74. doi:10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2015.06.003. PMID   26065979. S2CID   11557722.
  11. 1 2 Sun, Zhong Yi; Klöppel, Stefan; Rivière, Denis; Perrot, Matthieu; Frackowiak, Richard; Siebner, Hartwig; Mangin, Jean-François (2012). "The effect of handedness on the shape of the central sulcus". NeuroImage. 60: 332–339. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.12.050. S2CID   7850398.
  12. ↑ Bangert, Marc; Schlaug, Gottfried (September 2006). "Specialization of the specialized in features of external human brain morphology". European Journal of Neuroscience. 24 (6): 1832–1834. doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.2006.05031.x. PMID   17004946. S2CID   8941002.
  13. 1 2 3 Li, Shuyu; Wang, Shaoyi; Li, Xinwei; Li, Qiongling; Li, Xiaobo (2015). "Abnormal surface morphology of the central sulcus in children with attention-deficit/Hyperactivity disorder". Frontiers in Neuroanatomy. 9: 114. doi: 10.3389/fnana.2015.00114 . PMC   4551868 . PMID   26379511.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 Jackowski, Andrea P.; Schultz, Robert T. (2005). "Foreshortened Dorsal Extension of the Central Sulcus in Williams Syndrome". Cortex. 41 (3): 282–290. doi:10.1016/S0010-9452(08)70266-1. PMID   15871594. S2CID   4476964.
  15. 1 2 3 Jouvent, Eric; Sun, Zhong Yi; De Guio, François; Duchesnay, Edouard; Duering, Marco; Ropele, Stefan; Dichgans, Martin; Mangin, Jean-François; Chabriat, Hugues (2016). "Shape of the Central Sulcus and Disability After Subcortical Stroke". Stroke. 47 (4): 1023–1029. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.115.012562.
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