10
W. L. Nowinski
The brainstem is subdivided into (Fig. 2.2b):
• Midbrain
• Pons
• Medulla (oblongata)
2.2.2 Cortical Areas
The cortex has three surfaces: lateral, medial, and inferior (also called basal or
ventral). Moreover, the transitional areas form the frontal, temporal, and occipital
poles (see, e.g. Figs. 2.5 and 2.27).
2.2.2.1 Lateral Cortical Surface
Four lobes are present on the lateral cortical surface: frontal, temporal, parietal, and
occipital (Fig. 2.1b). The lateral surface of the frontal lobe is subdivided by three
sulci (the superior frontal sulcus, inferior frontal sulcus, and precentral sulcus) into
four gyri (Fig. 2.3):
• Superior frontal gyrus
• Middle frontal gyrus
• Inferior frontal gyrus
• Precentral gyrus
The lateral surface of the temporal lobe is subdivided by two sulci (the superior
temporal sulcus and inferior temporal sulcus) into three gyri (Fig. 2.3):
• Superior temporal gyrus
• Middle temporal gyrus
• Inferior temporal gyrus
The lateral surface of the parietal lobe is subdivided by two sulci (the postcentral
sulcus and intraparietal sulcus) into three gyri (Fig. 2.3):
• Postcentral gyrus
• Superior parietal gyrus (lobule)
• Inferior parietal gyrus (lobule)
– Supramarginal gyrus
– Angular gyrus
The lateral surface of the occipital lobe is subdivided by two sulci (the superior
occipital sulcus and inferior occipital sulcus) into three gyri (Fig. 2.3):
• Superior occipital gyrus
• Middle occipital gyrus
• Inferior occipital gyrus