sulcusissa

Sulcus (plural: sulci) is a Latin term meaning "groove" or "furrow." In anatomy, it refers to a depression or fissure on the surface of an organ. The most common usage of the term is in the context of the human brain, where sulci are the folds that divide the cerebral cortex into gyri. These grooves increase the surface area of the brain, allowing for a greater number of neurons to be packed into the skull. Key sulci on the brain include the central sulcus, which separates the frontal and parietal lobes, and the lateral sulcus (or Sylvian fissure), which separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes. The pattern of sulci is unique to each individual and can be used for identification.

Beyond the brain, the term sulcus is also used to describe grooves in other anatomical structures. For example, the cardiac sulcus refers to a groove on the surface of the heart that marks the boundary between its chambers. In dentistry, a gingival sulcus is the shallow groove between the gum and the tooth. The depth and health of the gingival sulcus are important indicators of periodontal health. The presence and depth of sulci are determined by the underlying structures and the development of the organ. Their significance lies in their contribution to the overall form and function of the anatomical feature they are part of.