Glossary
Gyrus
What is a Gyrus?
A gyrus (plural: gyri) is a raised ridge on the surface of the brain. The grooves between gyri are called sulci. Together, these folds allow a large area of cerebral cortex to fit inside the skull.
Why Gyri Matter
Gyri provide anatomical landmarks for describing the cortex, which is involved in perception, movement, thinking, and other functions. Some named gyri contain well-characterized functional regions. That does not mean every complex ability belongs to one ridge.
Major Gyri of the Brain
Precentral Gyrus
The precentral gyrus lies in the frontal lobe, immediately in front of the central sulcus. It contains the primary motor cortex, involved in voluntary movement.
Postcentral Gyrus
The postcentral gyrus lies in the parietal lobe, immediately behind the central sulcus. It contains the primary somatosensory cortex, which processes touch and other bodily sensations.
Superior Temporal Gyrus
The superior temporal region is involved in auditory processing and language. The primary auditory cortex lies on transverse temporal gyri on its upper surface. The label Wernicke’s area has traditionally been associated with part of this region, but its location varies across accounts and language comprehension is not confined to one center.