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AnatomyNeuroanatomyCerebrumLateral sulcus
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AnatomyNeuroanatomyCerebrumLateral sulcus

Lateral sulcus

Author: Christina Loukopoulou, MSc • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: March 12, 2024
Reading time: 2 minutes

Recommended video: Lateral views of the brain [19:38]
Structures seen on the lateral view of the brain.
Lateral sulcus
Sulcus lateralis
1/3
Synonyms: Sylvian Fissure, Fissura Sylvii

The lateral sulcus, also known as Sylvian fissure, is a very deep fold seen on the lateral surface of the cerebral hemisphere running in an anteroposterior direction.

It is one of the major sulci of the brain and separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes. The insular lobe lies deep to the lateral sulcus.

The lateral sulcus has three branches or rami:

  • The first branch, called the anterior ramus, extends forward and passes superiorly into the inferior frontal gyrus, separating its orbital part from the triangular part.
  • The second branch, called the ascending ramus, extends upward into the inferior frontal gyrus, separating its triangular part from the opercular part.
  • The third branch which is also the longest is called the posterior ramus. It is the primary continuation of the lateral sulcus and separates the parietal and temporal lobes. The posterior ramus ends by meeting the groove of the supramarginal gyrus.
Terminology English: Lateral sulcus
Synonym: Sylvian fissure

Latin: Sulcus lateralis
Synonym: Fissura Sylvii
Definition The lateral sulcus, also known as Sylvian fissure, is a very deep fold seen on the lateral surface of the cerebral hemisphere which separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes.

Want to learn more about the different lobes of the brain? Then work your way through the following study unit:

Lateral view of the brain Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Crossman, A.R., Neary, D. (2014). Neuroanatomy: An Illustrated Colour Text (5th ed.). Manchester, MCR: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F. and Agur, A. (2017). Clinically oriented anatomy (8th ed.). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

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