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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
High-resolution Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods for Human Midbrain
Published on: May 10, 2012
Topographic analysis of the inferior parietal lobule in high-resolution 3D MR imaging
I Kiriyama1, H Miki, K Kikuchi
1Department of Radiology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan. ikukosan@m.ehime-u.ac.jp
Background And Purpose:
Recent functional MR imaging studies have revealed that the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) supports numerous functions; however, the precise organization of the IPL remains unclear. It has been previously reported that the individual components of the IPL show variable morphologic features; thus, any investigations of IPL function must take into account the variable topography of the IPL. However, it is difficult to understand the topography of the IPL only in transaxial and/or sagittal MR images. We generated volume rendering (VR) images of the brain from high-resolution 3D MR imaging data and analyzed the topography of the IPL.
Materials And Methods:
Forty healthy volunteers were examined with 1.5T MR imaging, and VR images were generated. Sulcal continuity, sulcal connections, and the gyral pattern of the IPL were investigated.
Results:
The main sulci and gyri were able to be identified excellently on VR images of all volunteers. One long, continuous postcentral sulcus (postCS) was seen in 47.5% and 40% in the right and left hemisphere, respectively. The frequency with which the postCS connected with the anterior end of the IPS was 72.5% and 75% in the right and left, respectively. The gyral pattern of the IPL showed variable morphology.
Conclusions:
VR images can depict the sulcal continuity and connections of the IPL accurately. VR imaging is a very useful noninvasive technique to observe the topography of the IPL and should contribute to the investigation of functional localization.
