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Transverse temporal sulcus

The transverse temporal sulcus is a cortical sulcus located on the superior surface of the temporal lobe, running transversely within the lateral (Sylvian) fissure. It separates the transverse temporal gyri (Heschl gyri) and is closely associated with the primary auditory cortex, playing a key role in auditory perception and cortical sound processing.

This sulcus is of major importance in neuroanatomy, neuroimaging, epilepsy evaluation, functional MRI, and neurosurgical planning involving the temporal lobe.

Synonyms

  • Sulcus temporalis transversus

  • Heschl sulcus

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Location

  • Located on the superior surface of the temporal lobe

  • Lies within the lateral (Sylvian) fissure

  • Runs perpendicular to the long axis of the temporal lobe

  • Situated between adjacent transverse temporal gyri

  • Posterior to the planum polare

  • Anterior to the planum temporale

  • Forms part of the supratemporal plane

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MRI T1-weighted appearance

  • Sulcus (CSF) = low signal (dark)

  • Surrounding transverse temporal cortex = intermediate/gray signal

  • Adjacent white matter = brighter than cortex

  • Appears as a narrow dark cleft between the transverse temporal gyri, best seen on axial and coronal images through the superior temporal region / Sylvian fissure

MRI T2-weighted appearance

  • Sulcus CSF = high signal (bright)

  • Cortex and white matter = darker than CSF

  • Appears as a bright thin groove separating the transverse temporal gyri on the superior temporal surface

MRI FLAIR appearance

  • Free CSF in the sulcus = suppressed (dark)

  • Cortex and subcortical white matter = usual FLAIR signal

  • Seen as a small dark cleft within the Sylvian fissure region between transverse temporal gyri

CT (non-contrast) appearance

  • Sulcus (CSF) = low attenuation (dark)

  • Surrounding cortex and white matter = higher attenuation than CSF

  • Appears as a fine hypodense line/groove on the superior temporal surface, visible in axial cuts through the Sylvian fissure

CT (post-contrast) appearance

  • CSF in the sulcus = non-enhancing, hypodense

  • Adjacent cortex and vessels may enhance

MRI image

MRI Transverse temporal sulcus axial anatomy image -img-00000-00000