sulcal

Sulcal is an adjective relating to a sulcus, a groove or furrow in an organ. The term derives from the Latin sulcus, meaning furrow or ditch, and is used in anatomy and related fields to describe structures characterized by these grooves.

In anatomy, sulcal most commonly describes the grooves on the surface of the brain, where numerous cerebral sulci separate raised ridges called gyri. These sulci and gyri form the characteristic folded pattern of the cerebral cortex and provide landmarks used in neuroanatomy and neuroimaging. Prominent examples include the central sulcus, which divides the frontal and parietal lobes, and the lateral (Sylvian) sulcus. The depth and arrangement of sulci vary among individuals and across species, reflecting developmental processes that shape cortical folding, or gyrification.

Sulcal appearance can be altered by development, aging, and disease. Imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scan sulcal patterns to assess brain structure, identify regions of interest, or observe atrophy and other pathological changes. In addition to neuroanatomy, the term sulcal can be used in a broader sense to describe any furrow or groove on a surface of an organ or plant, though its use is most common in describing brain structures.

See also: sulcus, gyrification, cortical mapping, neuroimaging.