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Middle temporal gyrus

The middle temporal gyrus (MTG) is a prominent structure located on the lateral surface of the temporal lobe in the human brain. It plays a crucial role in various cognitive and perceptual functions, including language processing, semantic memory, and visual perception. The MTG is bordered superiorly by the superior temporal gyrus and inferiorly by the inferior temporal gyrus, with clear anatomical demarcation seen in neuroimaging studies. Its distinct location and connections make it significant in both clinical neurology and neuroscience research.

Synonyms

  • MTG

  • Gyrus temporalis medius (Latin)

  • Middle temporal convolution

Arterial Supply

  • Supplied primarily by branches of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), especially the temporal branches.

  • Additional minor contributions may come from the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) in its posterior regions.

Venous Drainage

  • Venous blood is primarily drained via the superior temporal vein.

  • Drains into the superficial middle cerebral vein and subsequently into the cavernous sinus.

Function

  • Involved in semantic memory processing and comprehension of language.

  • Plays a key role in visual perception and the recognition of moving objects.

  • Implicated in the integration of auditory and visual information.

  • Associated with social cognition and the processing of facial expressions.

  • Involvement in episodic memory retrieval.

MRI Appearance

  • T1-weighted images:

    • Appears as a region of iso to hypointense signal intensity, with gray matter clearly delineated from the underlying white matter.

  • T2-weighted images:

    • Gray matter of the MTG shows higher signal intensity relative to white matter; the gyrus stands out due to the contrast.

  • FLAIR sequences:

    • The MTG is easily identified with suppressed CSF signal, aiding in the detection of lesions or abnormalities within the cortex.

CT Appearance

  • On non-contrast CT, the middle temporal gyrus appears as part of the isodense gray matter of the temporal lobe.

  • Anatomical delineation is less distinct compared to MRI.

  • Pathological changes, such as infarcts or masses, may manifest as hypo- or hyperdense areas in the region of the MTG.

MRI images

Middle temporal gyrus MRI 3T axial image

MRI images

Middle temporal gyrus MRI 3T sagittal image

CT image

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