Lateral sulcus facts for kids
| Brain: Lateral sulcus | ||
|---|---|---|
Quick facts for kids
 |
||
| Lateral sulcus | ||
| Latin | fissura lateralis cerebri, sulcus lateralis cerebri | |
The lateral sulcus is a really important part of your brain! It's also known as the Sylvian fissure or lateral fissure. Think of it as a deep groove or valley on the surface of your brain.
This special groove helps to divide different parts of your brain. It separates the frontal lobe and parietal lobe (which are at the top and front) from the temporal lobe (which is below). You have a lateral sulcus in both hemispheres of your brain – that's the left and right halves.
Scientists have found that the lateral sulcus starts to form very early, around the fourteenth week of gestation (when a baby is developing inside its mother).
Contents
What Does the Lateral Sulcus Do?
The brain's surface isn't smooth; it has many folds, grooves, and bumps. These grooves are called sulci (plural of sulcus), and the bumps are called gyri. This folded surface allows the brain to pack more brain cells into a smaller space.
The lateral sulcus is one of the biggest and most noticeable grooves. It's like a major border on a map of the brain.
Dividing Brain Lobes
The human brain is divided into different sections called lobes. Each lobe has specific jobs. The lateral sulcus acts as a clear boundary for three of these important lobes:
- Frontal Lobe: This is at the front of your brain. It's involved in planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and personality.
- Parietal Lobe: Located behind the frontal lobe. It helps you process sensory information, like touch, temperature, and pain. It also helps with spatial awareness.
- Temporal Lobe: Found below the lateral sulcus, near your ears. This lobe is key for hearing, memory, and understanding language.
By separating these lobes, the lateral sulcus helps keep their functions organized. It ensures that different parts of the brain can work together efficiently without getting mixed up.
Why Are Brain Grooves Important?
The folds and grooves on the brain's surface, like the lateral sulcus, are very important for brain power. They increase the surface area of the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain, where most of the complex thinking happens.
Imagine trying to fit a large sheet of paper into a small box. You'd have to fold it up, right? The brain does something similar. These folds allow a much larger amount of brain tissue to fit inside your skull. This means more space for neurons (brain cells) and more connections between them, which helps you learn, think, and remember.
Images for kids
-
Right: Red cloak as lateral view of the human brain
-
Lateral sulcus shown in red (animation)
See also
In Spanish: Surco lateral del cerebro para niños
