MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSES OF THE PARACENTRAL LOBE

Introduction: There are no studies that evaluate the measurements of the distances between the grooves that demarcate the Paracentral Lobule (PCL) in literature. This study seeks to contribute to the knowledge regarding the anatomy of the PCL, conducting an analysis of morphometric measurements in this region and its correlation with the paracentral sulcus, marginal branch of the cingulate and central sulci. Methods: 42 hemispheres were evaluated, 22 from the right and 20 from the left hemisphere. Using a digital caliper rule Western ®, model Dc ? 6, measurements of the size of Paracentral Lobe in the sagittal axis and coronal axis were made, in addition to measures of the Central Sulcus to the Paracentral Sulcus (motor area) and Central Sulcus to Marginal Branch of the Cingulate Sulcus (somesthetic area), comparing the prevalence of each of these lengths between hemispheres. Results: The average length between the Paracentral Sulcus and the Central Sulcus was 24.49 cm (14.2 to 38.6 cm) in the right hemisphere and 25.50 cm (11.7 to 37.0 cm) in the left. As between the Central Sulcus and the Marginal Branch of the Cingulate Sulcus was in average 10.03 cm (2.6 to 22.7 cm) in the right and in the left PCL 9.17cm (2.6 to 22.7 cm). In the right hemisphere, 19 samples (86,4%) presented greater length of the motor area than somesthetic, and, in the left hemisphere, 19 samples (95%) had greater length of the motor area. Conclusion: The motor area showed larger size in relation to the sensory area in the analysis of the two hemispheres, while the comparison of other measures between the two hemispheres showed no significance.