Rolando’s fissure: characteristics and surrounding areas.

This is one of the most recognizable parts of the cortex of the brain.

The brain is the most relevant set of organs we possess, as it governs the functioning of the whole organism in such a way that we can stay alive. If we look at it from the outside, the first thing we can see is the cerebral cortex, a compact region of the brain. the cerebral cortex, a compact region full of wrinkles and folds.. These folds form convolutions or gyri, as well as furrows and grooves. Among the latter, there are two that stand out especially and allow us to differentiate different lobes: the Sylvius fissure and the Rolando fissure.

In this article we are going to focus on the Rolando's fissure to analyze what it is and its importance, as well as which regions surround it and some disorders that can be derived or that generate relevant effects on it.

Rolando's fissure: what are we in front of?

The fissure of Rolando is, along with the fissure of Sylvius, one of the most relevant and visible fissures, grooves or clefts of the cerebral cortex. Also called central sulcus this fissure runs vertically separating the frontal and parietal lobes and thus, at a functional level, the motor cortex (Brodmann area 4) and primary somatosensory cortex (Brodmann areas 1, 2 and 3).

This cleft is also surrounded by the precentral and postcentral gyri and is located bilaterally. and is found bilaterally, i.e. this sulcus appears in both cerebral hemispheres. It appears in the central part of the brain and practically reaches the Sylvian fissure, being separated from it by one of the opercula.

In addition to this separation, it has been speculated that in the brain matter that configures Rolando's fissure there could be some association between motor and sensory information, in such a way that it would act as a bridge and contribute to integrate both types of information.

Development

This fissure, similar in shape to that of Sylvius, is formed early in fetal development.. Specifically, it begins to be visible through MRI scans from the twenty-eighth week of gestation (although in some cases it may be discernible from the twenty-sixth week onwards), appearing from the parietal areas and becoming increasingly visible and deeper as the brain develops.

Disorders and problems related to Rolando's fissure

The Rolando's or central fissure is one of the most visible in the entire human brain and allows us to separate the frontal and parietal lobes, two of the most relevant brain regions. But the Rolando's fissure sometimes does not appear or can be involved or affected by several problems. Some of them are the following.

1. Lissencephaly

Lissencephaly, which can occur completely or incompletely, is a disorder in which during fetal development no or few folds, convolutions and furrows are formed in the brain.. It is a problem that can generate repercussions of various kinds, and can even lead to the death of the fetus or baby in a few years and generate alterations such as cardiorespiratory difficulties or seizures. Occasionally children with this disorder may not show symptoms, but this is not common.

2. Cerebrovascular accidents

The rupture of Blood vessels or ischemia can affect the areas surrounding the Rolando's fissure and even flood it. This could lead to various problems that could end up affecting the performance of movements and/or the perception of tactile sensations.

3. Rolandic epilepsy

Epilepsy is a disorder in which one or several groups of neurons become hyperexcitable to stimulation and end up generating seizures. The rolandic epilepsy is one of the types of epilepsy that exist.It is one of the most frequent and typical of childhood.

The crisis does not generate loss of consciousness, and stands out for starting with a tingling that ends up becoming inability to control the face and limbs, suffering uncontrollable shaking in these areas and unable to speak. This is a generally benign type of epilepsy that appears during sleep or in the morning, and is generated by the hyperexcitability of neurons located in the Rolando's fissure. hyperexcitability of the neurons located in the Rolando's fissure..

4. Tumors

The existence of different types of brain tumors can cause alterations in the physiognomy of the encephalon, including the displacement of fissures.including the displacement of fissures such as Rolando's fissure and the destruction of neurons present in its depths or in the surrounding areas.

Bibliographic references:

• Cohen-Sacher, B.; Lerman-Sagie, T.; Lev, D.; Malinger, G. (2006). Sonographic developmental milestones of the fetal cerebral cortex: a longitudinal study. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 27: 494-502.
• Toi, A.; Lister, W.S. & Fong, K.W. (2004), How early are fetal cerebral sulci visible at prenatal ultrasound and what is the normal pattern of early fetal sulcal development?. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 24: 706–715.