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Sulcus of corpus callosum

The sulcus of corpus callosum is a distinct groove located on the medial surface of the cerebral hemispheres, separating the corpus callosum from the overlying cingulate gyrus. This sulcus plays an important anatomical and radiological role, serving as a key landmark in brain imaging and neuroanatomy. Understanding its structure, function, and imaging characteristics is essential for clinicians, radiologists, and neuroscientists alike.

Synonyms

  • Callosal sulcus

  • Sulcus corporis callosi

  • Corpus callosal sulcus

Function

  • Acts as an anatomical boundary between the corpus callosum (the major commissural fiber tract connecting the two cerebral hemispheres) and the cingulate gyrus.

  • Assists in orientation and identification of adjacent brain structures during neuroimaging.

  • Serves as a landmark for neurosurgical approaches to midline brain lesions.

Arterial Supply

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

  • Additional small perforators from the ACA may contribute.

Venous Drainage

  • Drains mainly into the superior sagittal sinus via cortical veins.

  • Some drainage may occur through the internal cerebral veins depending on the exact region and individual variation.

MRI Appearance

  • T1-weighted images:

    • The sulcus appears as a hypointense (dark) linear structure, representing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) separating the corpus callosum from the cingulate gyrus.

  • T2-weighted images:

    • The sulcus is hyperintense (bright), due to the presence of CSF within the groove.

  • FLAIR sequences:

    • The sulcus is usually hypointense (dark) as CSF is suppressed, making the groove less prominent compared to T2 images but still visible due to the anatomical separation.

CT Appearance

  • Appears as a linear low-density (hypodense) area corresponding to the CSF within the sulcus, situated above the corpus callosum and beneath the cingulate gyrus.

  • The sulcus itself is best appreciated on thin-section, high-resolution CT brain scans, especially in cases of brain atrophy or midline pathology.

MRI images