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Morphological patterns of the postcentral sulcus in the human brain
Veronika Zlatkina1, Michael Petrides
1Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada. veronika.zlatkina@mail.mcgill.ca
The Journal of Comparative Neurology
|July 24, 2010
Summary
The postcentral sulcus is a complex structure, not a single groove, with variations in segmentation. Understanding its detailed morphology is key for functional neuroimaging in the anterior parietal lobe.
Area of Science:
- Neuroanatomy
- Human Brain Morphology
- Stereotaxic Imaging
Background:
- The postcentral sulcus is a critical landmark in the anterior parietal lobe.
- Its detailed morphological variability is not fully understood.
- Accurate anatomical knowledge is essential for functional neuroimaging interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological structure and variability of the postcentral sulcus.
- To analyze its relationship with the intraparietal sulcus.
- To establish a foundation for anatomical-functional correlations in the anterior parietal lobe.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 40 structural magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of the human brain.
- Registration of MRIs to the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) proportional stereotaxic space.
- Systematic examination of sulcal segmentation and depth relationships.
Main Results:
- The postcentral sulcus is a complex of segments, not a single entity, with submerged gyri.
- In 73.75% of hemispheres, it was segmented into 2-3 parts; 12.5% had 4-5 segments; 13.75% were continuous.
- The postcentral and intraparietal sulci are separated by a gyrus at the cortical depth, despite superficial appearances.
- A transverse postcentral sulcus was observed anteriorly in 32.5% of hemispheres.
Conclusions:
- The postcentral sulcus exhibits significant morphological variability.
- Detailed sulcal morphology, including depth features, is crucial for accurate anatomical identification.
- This study provides essential anatomical data for functional neuroimaging studies of the anterior parietal lobe.
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