Gyration of the Feline Brain: Localization, Terminology and Variability

Abstract

The terminology of feline brain gyration is not consistent and individual variability has not been systematically examined. The aim of the study was to identify the gyri and sulci of cat brains and describe them using the current terminology. The brains of 15 cats including 10 European shorthairs, 2 Siamese, 2 Maine coons and one Norvegian forest cat without clinical evidence of brain disease were examined post-mortem and photographed for documentation. For description, the terms of the most recent Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (NAV, 2012) were used, and comparisons with previous anatomical texts were also performed. In addition to the lack of comparative morphology in the NAV, veterinary and human nomenclature are used interchangeably and inconsistently in the literature. This presents a challenge for neurologists and anatomists in localizing gyri and sulci. A comparative analysis of brain gyration showed only minor individual variability among the cats. High-quality labelled figures are provided to facilitate the identification of cat brain gyration. Our work consolidates the current and more consistent gyration terminology for reporting the localization of a cortical lesion based on magnetic resonance imaging or histopathology. This will facilitate not only morphological but also functional research using accurate anatomical reporting.

The brain of the tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis). I. General appearance of the central nervous system

“…The pattern of sulci and gyri apparent on the dorsolateral and mesial surface of the tree pangolin brain, while not being particularly complex, in that only what would be considered primary sulci are apparent, are very similar to the pattern of primary sulci and gyri observed in carnivores (Datta et al, ; Elliot Smith, ; Lyras and van der Geer, ; Pakozdy, Angerer, Klang, Konig, and Probst, ; Sawada & Watanbe, ), and somewhat like other phylogenetically affiliated species such as the artiodactyls and perissodactyls. The inverted, almost u‐shaped, suprasylvian sulcus, with the caudally oriented sylvian sulcus, outlining what might be considered the majority of the temporal lobe in the tree pangolin is very similar to that observed in carnivores.…”

Focal Cortical Resection and Hippocampectomy in a Cat With Drug-Resistant Structural Epilepsy

“…These results allowed us to identify the suspected epileptogenic zone in the right atrophic hippocampus and temporo-occipital cortex underlying ECoG electrodes #1, 3, and 9. According to the feline brain atlas ( 30 ), the temporo-occipital cortex showing interictal epileptiform discharges (electrodes #1, 3, and 9) is distributed in the lateral part of the ectosylvian and ectomarginal gyri.…”

Morphological characteristics of the forebrain in the donkey (Equus asinus): A compared atlas of magnetic resonance imaging and cross‐sectional anatomy

“…As examples of this development, the sensory information from the limbs and trunk is processed in the cortical area of the ectosylvian sulcus, from the tongue in the suprasylvian sulcus, from the nostrils in the coronal sulcus and from the lips in the diagonal sulcus (Adrian, 1943;Takeuchi & Sugita, 2001;Woolsey & Fairman, 1946). However, the great variability of the gyral and sulcal pattern in the same species should be considered during mapping and localization of the brain functions (Amunts et al, 2007;Pakozdy et al, 2015). In addition, the insular cortex under investigation was hidden in the sylvian fissure and oblique sulcus, and it could not be determined on the outer surface, which thought to be due to large extension of the temporal lobe of the forebrain (Russo et al, 2008;Schmidt et al, 2019).…”