title: Investigation of topographical anatomy of Broca's area: an anatomic cadaveric study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The sulci constituting the structure of the pars triangularis and opercularis, considered as 'Broca's area', present wide anatomical and morphological variations between different hemispheres. The boundaries are described differently from one another in various studies. The aim of this study was to explore the topographical anatomy, confirm the morphological asymmetry and highlight anatomical variations in Broca's area.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed with 100 hemispheres to investigate the presence, continuity, patterns and connections of the sulcal structures that constitute the morphological asymmetry of Broca's area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Considerable individual anatomical and morphological variations between the inferior frontal gyrus and related sulcal structures were detected. Rare bilateralism findings supported the morphological asymmetry. The inferior frontal sulcus was identified as a single segment in 54 % of the right and two separate segments in 52 % of the left hemispheres, which was the most common pattern. The diagonal sulcus was present in 48 % of the right and 54 % of the left hemispheres. It was most frequently connected to the ascending ramus on both sides. A 'V' shape was observed in 42.5 % of the right hemispheres and a 'Y' shape in 38.3 % of the left hemispheres, which was the most common shape of the pars triangularis. Moreover, the full results are specified in detail.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of the anatomical variations in this region is indispensable for understanding the functional structure and performing safe surgery. However, most previously published studies have aimed to determine the anatomical asymmetry of the motor speech area without illuminating the topographical anatomy encountered during surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Uludag University School of Medicine, 16059, Gorukle, Bursa, Turkey. dr.pinareser.82@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pınar
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0132-9927
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eser Ocak
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Uludag University School of Medicine, 16059, Gorukle, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kocaelı
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D065711:Broca Area / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Asymmetry; Broca’s area; Inferior frontal gyrus; Pars opercularis; Pars triangularis