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Topic

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Superior temporal sulcus

The superior temporal sulcus (STS) is a prominent anatomical groove on the lateral surface of the temporal lobe in the human brain. Running parallel and inferior to the lateral (Sylvian) fissure, the STS separates the superior temporal gyrus from the middle temporal gyrus. It plays a critical role in multisensory integration, language, social cognition, and auditory processing. The sulcus is an important neuroanatomical landmark in both clinical and research neuroimaging.

Synonyms

  • STS

  • Sulcus temporalis superior

  • Superior temporal fissure

Function

  • Integration of auditory, visual, and somatosensory information

  • Language comprehension and processing

  • Perception of biological motion (e.g., interpreting social cues)

  • Involved in aspects of theory of mind and social cognition

  • Contributes to the processing of complex sounds, including speech

Arterial Supply

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

  • Occasionally receives minor contributions from the posterior cerebral artery (PCA)

Venous Drainage

  • Drains mainly into the superior temporal vein

  • Venous blood then empties into the superficial middle cerebral vein, which ultimately drains into the cavernous sinus

  • Additional minor drainage into the transverse sinus via connecting veins

MRI Appearance

  • T1-weighted:

    • The STS appears as a linear hypointense (dark) cleft separating the superior and middle temporal gyri

    • Surrounded by the higher signal intensity of cortical gray matter

  • T2-weighted:

    • The sulcus is seen as a hyperintense (bright) CSF-filled space

    • Clearly outlines the separation between temporal gyri

  • FLAIR:

    • The STS appears hypointense (dark) due to CSF suppression

    • Helps to distinguish cortical lesions adjacent to the sulcus

CT Appearance

  • Appears as a linear hypodense (dark) cleft within the temporal lobe

  • Best seen in non-contrast studies as a CSF-filled space, bordered by cortical bone and brain parenchyma

  • May become effaced in cases of mass effect, edema, or temporal lobe pathology

MRI images

Superior temporal sulcus MRI 3T axial image

MRI images

Superior temporal sulcus MRI 3T sagittal image