Challenge 1.2—lobes of the cerebral hemispheres

Get your hands on a whole- or half-brain specimen and refer to Figure 1.4. Next, identify the surface features that define the boundaries between the contiguous four lobes of the cerebral hemisphere.  Do your best to apply the conventional criteria for dividing the lobes (see text for details), and take special note of the location and configuration of three deep sulci/fissures:

• the central sulcus,
• the lateral fissure, and
• the parieto-occipital sulcus. [Which specimen will you need for this sulcus: whole or half?]

In addition, you will also need to imagine the anterior boundary of the occipital lobe from the lateral view of the hemisphere, so you will need to sight the pre-occipital notch.  As you inspect several specimens in the lab, please notice differences among specimens—and even between hemispheres of the same brain.  What do you think these ‘macroanatomical’ difference mean?  Do they imply ‘microanatomical’ differences as well?  Vive la difference!