fissure of Sylvius
- noun
- /ˈfɪʃər əv ˈsɪlviəs/
- Specialized
- Damage near the fissure of Sylvius can affect language and auditory processing.
Examples
-
During surgery, the fissure of Sylvius is used as a landmark to access deeper brain structures.
-
The fissure of Sylvius is easily identified on a brain scan as a prominent groove.
-
The fissure of Sylvius is crucial for understanding brain function.
-
Can you locate the fissure of Sylvius on this diagram?
-
Damage near the fissure of Sylvius can affect language and auditory processing.
-
During surgery, the fissure of Sylvius is used as a landmark to access deeper brain structures.
-
The fissure of Sylvius is easily identified on a brain scan as a prominent groove.
Synonyms
A deep groove on each side of the brain that separates the front and side lobes
A deep groove on the side of the brain that separates the frontal lobe from the temporal lobe
A deep fold in the brain that separates the front and side parts
Surface Forms
Morphology
fissure + of + Sylvius
The noun 'fissure' transparently signals an anatomical groove, and the genitive 'of Sylvius' indicates it is an eponymous anatomical feature. However, knowing the constituents does not tell a learner which specific groove (the lateral sulcus between frontal and temporal lobes), so the full referential meaning is not predictable from the parts alone.
Etymology
Fissure of Sylvius gets its name from the Dutch doctor Franciscus Sylvius, who long ago described this clear 'deep groove' in the brain. Picture a long crack or river that cuts the front from the side parts of the brain, and you can see why the fissure means the 'deep groove' that separates those areas today.