Cerebral Cortex – Lobes, Fissures, Gyri, and Sulci

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

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The cerebral cortex is the outermost layer of gray matter in the brain. It forms an intricate system of neural pathways that link different parts of the brain and spinal cord.

On its image descriptionlateral and medial surfaces, the cerebral cortex is noticeably convoluted.

An image showing the lateral view of the right hemisphere
An image showing the lateral view of the right hemisphere and medial view of the left hemisphere
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  • This increases the surface area of the brain so more nerve cells (or neurons) can be present.
  • The deep furrows are called fissures and shallow ones are called sulci (singluar; sulcus).
  • The ridges between the sulci are known as a gyri (singular; gyrus).
  • Major sulci and fissures divide each hemisphere into four lobes: the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes.
  • In the midregion of the lateral cortex is an elongated vertical groove called the image descriptioncentral sulcus.
An image showing the lateral view of the right hemisphere and medial view of the left hemisphere
An image showing the Central sulcus between the frontal and parietal lobes - lateral view of the right hemisphere and medial view of the left hemisphere
An image showing the Central sulcus, the frontal and parietal lobes are colored - lateral view of the right hemisphere and medial view of the left hemisphere
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An image showing the lateral view of the right hemisphere and medial view of the left hemisphere
An image showing the Frontal lobe colored - lateral view of the right hemisphere and medial view of the left hemisphere
An image showing the parietal lobe colored in addition to frontal lobe - lateral view of the right hemisphere and medial view of the left hemisphere
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Learn the lobes of the brain while having fun with these interactive exam-style quizzes and labelling exercises.

An image showing the lateral view of the right hemisphere and medial view of the left hemisphere
An image showing the occipital lobe colored in addition to frontal and parietal lobes - lateral view of the right hemisphere and medial view of the left hemisphere
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  • Inferior to the central sulcus is the prominent lateral fissure. It is the boundary between the frontal and parietal lobes and the image descriptiontemporal lobe.
An image showing the lateral view of the right hemisphere and medial view of the left hemisphere
An image showing the temporal lobe colored in addition to frontal, occipital and parietal lobes - lateral view of the right hemisphere and medial view of the left hemisphere
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Overview:

An image showing Frontal lobe, Parietal lobe, Occipital lobe, Temporal lobe, Central sulcus, Lateral fissure and Parieto-occipital fissure numbered and not labeled
An image showing Frontal lobe, Parietal lobe, Occipital lobe, Temporal lobe, Central sulcus, Lateral fissure and Parieto-occipital fissure Numbered and labeled
Swipe to show/hide the answers
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