Morphometric Analysis of Human Paracentral Lobule: A Cadaveric Study with its Clinical Implications

Abstract Introduction: The precentral and paracentral gyrus of the superolateral surface of the cerebral hemisphere is extended into the medial surface to form the human paracentral lobule. It is the crucial region that represents the lower limb’s motor and sensory functions, as well as the functions of micturition and defecation. The present research was conducted to study the types, boundaries and morphometric analysis of the paracentral lobule of human brain. Methodology: Formalin fixed fifty human brain hemispheres (25 right and 25 left) were used in the study. The morphological types and boundaries of the paracentral lobule was determined initially, followed by measurements were taken along the standardized X and Y axis using digital vernier caliper. Measurement taken along the X axis was length and the Y axis was height. The length of motor and sensory area were also measured. Mean and standard deviation were calculated. Results: Paracentral lobule was classified into three separate types: continuous (4%), partly segmented (88%), and segmented (8%). Left paracentral lobule has a larger mean surface area than right paracentral lobule. Regardless of the side or morphological forms of the paracentral lobule, the motor area was noticeably greater than the sensory area. Conclusion: The prevalence of the partly segmented kind of paracentral lobule was high in the current investigation and the motor region was noticeably larger than the sensory area. The provided information could facilitate the precise identification and management of disorders affecting the paracentral lobule.