Inclusive Anatomy
Structure:
The lateral sulcus is a prominent groove on the lateral surface of each cerebral hemisphere that separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes. From a lateral view, the sulcus runs in a generally horizontal orientation, with the frontal and parietal lobes positioned superiorly and the temporal lobe lying inferiorly.[1,2]
The sulcus originates on the inferior surface of the frontal lobe near the anterior perforated substance and curves laterally and posteriorly onto the lateral surface of the cerebral hemisphere.[3] It consists of a main stem that divides into three branches: the anterior horizontal ramus, the anterior ascending ramus, and the posterior ramus. The anterior horizontal and ascending rami contribute to the subdivision of the frontal lobe, while the posterior ramus extends posteriorly to delineate the boundary between the parietal and temporal lobes.[3]
Deep within the lateral sulcus lies the insular cortex, which is covered by the opercula of the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes. This relationship underscores the sulcus’s importance as a major organizational landmark of the cerebral cortex.[3]
Function:
The lateral sulcus serves as a key anatomical landmark that divides the cerebral hemisphere into distinct functional regions. Inferiorly, it separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes, aiding in cortical localization and functional mapping of the brain.[3]
Adjacent to the sulcus are cortical regions essential for language, auditory processing, and sensory integration. The primary auditory cortex is located within the superior temporal gyrus just inferior to the sulcus and plays a central role in processing sound and spoken language.[4] Cortical regions flanking the lateral sulcus are also involved in language production and comprehension, and lesions in this area are frequently associated with aphasia.
The insular cortex, situated deep to the sulcus, participates in higher-order functions including pain perception, emotional processing, and integration of autonomic and sensory information.[5] Through these associations, the lateral sulcus is closely linked to both sensory perception and complex cognitive function.
References:
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Moore KL, Dalley AF, R. AAM. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Wolters Kluwer; 2018.
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Bui T, Das JM. Neuroanatomy, Cerebral Hemisphere. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549789/
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Chauhan P, Rathawa A, Jethwa K, Mehra S. The Anatomy of the Cerebral Cortex. In: Pluta R, ed. Cerebral Ischemia. Exon Publications; 2021. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK575742/
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Alvarez Toledo N, Munakomi S, Prestigiacomo CJ. Neuroanatomy, Sylvian Fissure. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574552/
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Nieuwenhuys R. Chapter 7 - The insular cortex: A review. In: Hofman MA, Falk D, eds. Progress in Brain Research. Vol 195. Evolution of the Primate Brain. Elsevier; 2012:123-163. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-53860-4.00007-6
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