Brain Anatomy: Central Sulcus and Associated Structures

Key Structures

Central Sulcus

• Definition: A groove or fold in the brain's cerebral cortex.
• Function: Separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.
• Location: Runs along the side of the brain.

Gyrus vs. Sulcus

• Gyrus: "Big fat lumpy thing," elevated ridges of the brain.
• Sulcus: Grooves or folds, like the central sulcus itself.

Important Gyri

Precentral Gyrus

• Location: In front of the central sulcus.
• Significance: Contains the primary motor cortex.

Postcentral Gyrus

• Location: Behind the central sulcus.
• Significance: Houses the primary somatosensory cortex.

Functional Zones

• Primary Motor Cortex: Located in the precentral gyrus, responsible for voluntary muscle movements.
• Primary Somatosensory Cortex: Found in the postcentral gyrus, processes sensory information from the body.

These structures and their functions are essential for understanding brain anatomy and the roles different parts of the brain play in processing various types of information.