Anatomy of the parietal lobe: mapping the individual pattern.

Using magnetic resonance imaging with planes of section tangential to the left or right perietal convexity, we studied the sulcus pattern of the parietal lobes in 50 healthy subjects. The postcentral sulcus and the intraparietal sulcus were easily identified. As a characteristic landmark, and corresponding to postmortem findings, both sulci joined in 77% of the 100 hemispheres. The presurgical recognition of individual parietal lobe anatomy may improve surgical planning, in particular with an intended persulcal approach.