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Topic

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Middle frontal gyrus

The middle frontal gyrus is a prominent convolution located on the lateral aspect of the frontal lobe, lying between the superior and inferior frontal gyri. It plays a significant role in various cognitive and executive functions, including working memory, attention, and higher-order planning. The gyrus is easily visualized on neuroimaging and is a key landmark in both clinical and research settings due to its involvement in multiple neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Synonyms

  • Middle frontal convolution

  • Gyrus frontalis medius (Latin)

Arterial Supply

  • Primarily supplied by branches of the superior division of the middle cerebral artery (MCA)

  • Additional minor supply from the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), especially near the medial border

Venous Drainage

  • Drained mainly via the superior sagittal sinus through superficial cortical veins

  • Additional drainage through the superior anastomotic vein (vein of Trolard) and inferior anastomotic vein (vein of Labbé)

Function

  • Involved in executive functions such as decision-making, planning, and working memory

  • Important for attention control and the regulation of goal-directed behavior

  • Plays a role in the integration of sensory information and voluntary motor planning

  • Associated with language production, especially in the dominant hemisphere (Broca’s area is partly located at its posterior aspect)

MRI Appearance

  • T1-weighted images: Appears as an isointense or slightly hypointense structure compared to surrounding gray matter, with well-defined cortical ribbon

  • T2-weighted images: The cortical gray matter of the middle frontal gyrus appears hyperintense compared to the adjacent white matter

  • FLAIR: Cortex is hyperintense relative to white matter, with sharp delineation from the sulci; useful in detecting cortical pathology (e.g., gliosis, edema)

CT Appearance

  • The middle frontal gyrus is not directly distinguishable from other gyri on non-contrast CT, but it appears as a cortical ribbon with slightly higher density than the underlying white matter

  • Pathological changes (e.g., infarction, edema) may manifest as loss of gray-white differentiation or focal hypoattenuation

  • Gyral swelling or atrophy can be appreciated in disease states

MRI images

Middle frontal gyrus MRI 3T axial image

MRI images

Middle frontal gyrus MRI 3T sagittal image

CT image

Middle frontal gyrus CT axial anatomy image -img-00001-00001