Central sulcus on axial imaging

Identification of the central sulcus is important to localize the motor strip (contained in the precentral gyrus). The central sulcus (CS) is visible on 93% of CTs and 100% of MRIs 1).

It curves posteriorly as it approaches the interhemispheric fissure (IHF), and often terminates in the paracentral lobule, just anterior to the pars marginalis (pM) within the pars bracket 2) (i.e. the CS often does not reach the midline).

1) , 2)
Naidich TP, Brightbill TC. The pars marginalis, I: A “bracket” sign for the central sulcus in axial plane CT and MRI. Int J Neuroradiol. 1996; 2:3–19