Brain surface anatomy refers to the sulci (grooves) and gyri (ridges) that define the external morphology of the cerebral cortex. Accurate understanding is essential for neurosurgical planning, neuroimaging interpretation, and functional brain mapping.

Understanding brain surface landmarks allows:

• Localization of eloquent cortex (e.g., motor strip, Broca’s area).
• Planning craniotomies with minimal cortical disruption.
• Interpretation of imaging in tumor, epilepsy, and vascular patients.

• Naidich TP. MR Imaging of Brain Surface Anatomy. Neuroradiology. 1991;33(Suppl):S95–S99.
  • Provided early MRI-based cortical landmark guidance.
  • Criticism: lacks modern resolution, no quantitative method, outdated for current neurosurgical use.

• Duvernoy’s Atlas (Naidich et al.) – includes high-resolution 3T MRI and detailed cortical anatomy.
• Ono, Kubik & Abernathey – Atlas of the Cerebral Sulci (based on cadaver dissection, still relevant).

• Human Connectome Project (HCP)
  • https://www.humanconnectome.org
  • Offers 7T MRI, cortical parcellation, diffusion imaging, and functional overlays.

• Allen Brain Atlas
• https://portal.brain-map.org
• Combines structural anatomy with gene expression and tract tracing.

• Glasser MF et al. (2016). A multi-modal parcellation of human cerebral cortex. Nature.
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature18933
  • Defines 180 areas using structural MRI, diffusion, and fMRI.

• Desikan RS et al. (2006). Automated gyral-based labeling system. NeuroImage.
  • Basis of FreeSurfer cortical parcellation.
  • Enables reproducible surface-based segmentation.

• FreeSurfer – https://surfer.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu
  • Automated labeling, cortical thickness, surface area, sulcal depth.

• MRtrix3, Lead-DBS, BrainSuite – Used for structural connectivity and pre-surgical planning.

• Central Sulcus (Rolandic) – Separates frontal and parietal lobes; key for motor cortex.
• Lateral Sulcus (Sylvian fissure) – Landmark for language-related areas.
• Parieto-occipital Sulcus – Posterior medial surface; defines occipital lobe.
• Calcarine Sulcus – Contains the primary visual cortex (V1).

Tags: `anatomy` `neuroanatomy` `cortex` `surface` `mri` `sulci` `gyri` `planning`

While Naidich’s 1991 paper ¹⁾

had historical value, today’s gold standards integrate high-resolution MRI, functional data, and computational neuroanatomy. The field has shifted from illustrative anatomy to multimodal, quantitative, and surgery-oriented tools.

• Ono, Kubik & Abernathey – Atlas of the Cerebral Sulci
  • Foundational anatomical reference based on dissection and sulcal pattern analysis.
  • Still widely cited and used in surgical planning.

• Naidich et al. – Duvernoy’s Atlas of the Human Brain (Stem, Cerebellum, Cerebrum)
  • Latest editions include 3T MRI slices with precise cortical-sulcal correlations.
  • Practical and updated evolution of Naidich’s earlier work.

• Human Connectome Project (HCP)
  • https://www.humanconnectome.org
  • 7T MRI datasets, parcellation, diffusion imaging, tractography.
  • Reference for structural-functional cortical organization.

• Allen Brain Atlas / Brain Maps
  • https://portal.brain-map.org
  • Anatomical reference with multimodal overlays and gene expression data.

• FreeSurfer
  • https://surfer.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu
  • Surface-based cortical parcellation (Desikan-Killiany, Destrieux).
  • Standard for cortical thickness, surface area, and gyral segmentation.

• MRtrix3, BrainSuite, Lead-DBS
  • Used for surgical planning, tractography, and DBS targeting.

• Glasser MF et al. (2016)
  • A multi-modal parcellation of human cerebral cortex
  • Nature, 536(7615):171–178
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature18933
  • Defines 180 cortical areas via MRI, fMRI, and diffusion data.

• Desikan RS et al. (2006)
  • An automated labeling system for subdividing the human cerebral cortex…
  • NeuroImage, 31(3):968–980
  • Basis of FreeSurfer's parcellation system.