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Cingulate gyrus

The cingulate gyrus is a prominent, curved fold located on the medial aspect of the cerebral cortex, immediately above the corpus callosum. As a central component of the limbic lobe, it plays a crucial role in emotion formation and processing, learning, memory, and autonomic regulation. The cingulate gyrus forms an extensive arch along the superior surface of the corpus callosum, extending from the subcallosal area anteriorly, above the corpus callosum, and turning around its posterior end toward the parahippocampal gyrus. Its deep connections and strategic position make it a vital structure in linking behavioral outcomes to motivation, contributing significantly to various cognitive and emotional functions.

Synonyms:

  • Cingulate cortex

  • Gyrus cinguli

  • Limbic gyrus

  • Callosal gyrus

Arterial Supply:

  • Primarily supplied by branches of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), especially the pericallosal artery (a branch of the ACA).

  • The middle cerebral artery (MCA) also provides minor contributions to the posterior region of the cingulate gyrus.

  • Additional small branches from the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) may supply the posterior-most part.

Venous Drainage:

  • Drained by small cortical veins into the superior sagittal sinus.

  • The deeper portions drain into the internal cerebral veins.

  • Some venous blood may also be collected by the great cerebral vein of Galen.

Functions:

  • Emotional processing and regulation

  • Formation and retrieval of memories

  • Autonomic functions (regulation of blood pressure, heart rate, etc.)

  • Motivational behavior and decision-making

  • Pain perception and response to unpleasant stimuli

  • Modulation of attention and cognitive control

MRI Appearance:

  • T1-weighted images:

    • Cingulate gyrus appears as a cortical ribbon with intermediate (gray matter) signal intensity.

    • White matter underlying the gyrus shows a relatively higher signal (brighter).

  • T2-weighted images:

    • The gray matter of the cingulate gyrus is mildly hyperintense compared to white matter (white matter appears darker).

    • Normal differentiation from adjacent white matter is well maintained.

  • FLAIR images:

    • Gray matter of the cingulate gyrus is slightly hyperintense relative to white matter.

    • Useful for detecting pathology (such as demyelination, infarction, or edema), as abnormal signal is more easily identified in this region.

CT Appearance:

  • The cingulate gyrus is not directly visualized as a distinct structure on non-contrast CT, but is inferred by its location above the corpus callosum.

  • Appears isodense to the rest of cerebral cortex.

  • Abnormalities (such as infarcts, hemorrhage, or mass effect) may cause effacement or loss of the normal cingulate sulcus, or abnormal density in this region.

  • Calcification or acute hemorrhage, if present, may be visible as hyperdense areas.

MRI images

Cingulate gyrus MRI 3T axial image

MRI images

Cingulate gyrus MRI 3T sagittal image

CT image

Cingulate gyrus CT sagittal anatomy image -img-00001-00001