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Topic

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Inferior temporal sulcus

The Inferior Temporal Sulcus (ITS) is a prominent longitudinal groove situated on the lateral surface of the temporal lobe in the human brain. It serves as a crucial anatomical landmark separating the inferior temporal gyrus from the middle temporal gyrus. The ITS plays a significant role in higher visual processing and object recognition, making it vital in neurocognitive and radiological assessments. On neuroimaging, the ITS can be distinctly visualized, aiding in the evaluation of temporal lobe pathology and surgical planning.

Synonyms

  • Sulcus temporalis inferior

  • Inferior temporal fissure

Function

  • Serves as a boundary separating the inferior and middle temporal gyri

  • Involved in visual object recognition and processing

  • Participates in high-order visual perception tasks

  • Provides anatomical orientation for neuroimaging and neurosurgical procedures

Arterial Supply

  • Primarily supplied by branches of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), especially the temporal branches

  • Additional minor supply from the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) branches

  • Perfusion supports the inferior and middle temporal gyri bordering the sulcus

Venous Drainage

  • Drains mainly via the middle cerebral vein (superficial)

  • Contributes to drainage toward the superior sagittal sinus and transverse sinus through superficial cortical veins

MRI Appearance

  • T1-weighted Imaging:

    • Appears as a hypointense (dark) linear groove separating adjacent gyri

    • CSF within the sulcus demonstrates low signal intensity

  • T2-weighted Imaging:

    • Sulcus appears hyperintense (bright) due to CSF signal

    • Clearly delineates the boundaries between gyri

  • FLAIR Imaging:

    • Sulcus appears hypointense, with suppressed CSF signal

    • Enhances the contrast between sulcus and cortical/parenchymal lesions

CT Appearance

  • Visualized as a thin, low-density (dark) line between the gyri of the temporal lobe

  • Best seen in cases of brain atrophy or when enlarged by pathological processes (e.g., edema or mass effect)

  • Not as well delineated as on MRI but serves as a landmark in cross-sectional anatomy

MRI images

Inferior temporal sulcus MRI 3T axial image

MRI images

Inferior temporal sulcus MRI 3T sagittal image