Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Subcortical topography and proportions of the pyramidal tract

  • Neuroanatomical Articles
  • Published:
Acta Neurochirurgica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The pyramidal tract (PT) was dissected in 30 normal human hemispheres according to the method of Klingler27,32. The various dimensions as well as the cerebral landmarks were studied. The pyramidal tract is built up like a fan in the white matter by a thin layer of fibers of 2.8–3.5 mm in thickness. The fibers converge toward the internal capsule to a solid fiber tract with a lateral and apdiameter of 7.8±1.6mm and 17.5±2.1 mm, respectively. This configuration of the PT presents different possibilities of damage during surgery.

The evaluation of the three-dimensional course of the PT is possible by using three cerebral landmarks, the precentral gyrus, the entrance into the internal capsule and the posterior limb of the internal capsule. Their topography is described. Additionally the pyramidal tract can be defined medially by the sulcus cinguli and the roof of the lateral ventricle and laterally by the superior sulcus circularis Insulae. The possible displacement of the PT by space occupying lesions and the intra-operative orientation is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Beevor CT (1990) An experimental investigation into the arrangement of the excitable fibers in the internal capsule of the bonnet monkey. Phil Trans Roy Soc London [Biol] 181: 49–88

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bennett AH (1885) Case of brachial monoplegia due to lesions of the internal capsule. Brain 8: 78–84

    Google Scholar 

  3. Berger MS, Kincaid J, Ojemann GA, Lettich BA (1989) Brain mapping techniques to maximize resection, safety and seizure control in children with brain tumors. Neurosurgery 25: 786–992

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Berger MS, Wendy A, Ojemann GA (1990) Correlation of motor cortex mapping data with magnetic resonance imaging. J Neurosurg 72: 383–387

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Berger MS, Ojemann GA, Lettich E (1990) Neurophysiological monitoring during astrocytoma surgery. Neurosurgery Clinics of North America 1: 65–80

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Bertrand G, Blundell J, Mussella R (1965) Electrical exploration of the internal capsule and neighbouring structures during stereotactical procedure. J Neurosurg 22: 333–343

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Bertrand G (1966) Stimulation during stereotactic operations for dyskinesias. J Neurosurg 24: 419–423

    Google Scholar 

  8. Black P, Ronner SF (1987) Cortical mapping for defining the limits of tumorresection. Neurosurgery 20: 6: 914–920

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Brodal A (1969) Neurological anatomy—in relation to clinical medicine, 2nd Ed. University Press, New York Oxford London Toronto

    Google Scholar 

  10. Creutzfeld OD (1983) Cortex cerebri. Leistung, strukturelle und funktionelle Organisation der Hirnrinde. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  11. Crosby EC, Humphrey T, Lauer EW (1962) Correlative anatomy of the nervous system. McMillan, New York

    Google Scholar 

  12. Curran EJ (1909) A new association fiber tract in the cerebrum. With remarks on the fiber tract dissection method of study the brain. J Comp Neurol 19: 645–657

    Google Scholar 

  13. Ebeling U, Huber P, Reulen HJ (1986) Localization of the precentral gyrus in the CT and its clinical application. J Neurol 233: 73–76

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Ebeling U, Rikli D, Huber P, Reulen HJ (1987) The coronal suture, a useful landmark in Neurosurgery? Craniocerebral topography between bony landmarks on the skull and the brain. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 89: 130–134

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ebeling U, Reulen HJ (1988) Neurosurgical topography of the optic radiation in the temporal lobe. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 92: 29–36

    Google Scholar 

  16. Ebeling U, Steinmetz H, Huang Y, Kahn T (1989) Topography and identification of the precentral sulcus in MR-imaging. AJNR 10: 937–942

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Ebeling U, Schmid U, Reulen HJ (1990) Tumor surgery within the central motor strip: surgical results with aid of electrical cortical motor cortex stimulation. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 101: 110–117

    Google Scholar 

  18. Englander RN (1975) Location of the pyramidal tract in the internal capsule. Anatomic evidence. Neurology (NY) 25: 823–826

    Google Scholar 

  19. Flechsig P (1881) Zur Anatomie und Entwicklungsgeschichte der Leitungsbahnen im Grosshirn. Arch Anat Physiol: 12–75

  20. Foerster O, Bumke O (1936) Handbuch der Neurologie, Bd 6. Springer, Berlin, pp 1–357

    Google Scholar 

  21. Gregorie E, Goldring S (1984) Localization of function in the excision of lesions from the sensorimotor region. J Neurosurg 61: 1047–1054

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Hanaway J, Young RR (1977) Localization of the pyramidal tract in the internal capsule of man. Neurol Sci 34: 63–70

    Google Scholar 

  23. Hultkrantz JW (1929) Gehirnpräparation mittels Zerfaserung: Anleitung zum makroskopischen Studium des Gehirnes. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  24. Jane JA, Yashon D, De Myer D, Buca PC (1967) The contribution of the precentral gyrus to the pyramidal tract in man. J Neurosurg 26: 244–248

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Kido DK, Le May M, Levanson AW, Benson WE (1980) Computed tomographic localization of the precentral sulcus. Radiology 135: 373–377

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. King RB, Schell GR (1987) Cortical localization and monitoring during cerebral operations. J Neurosurg 67: 210–219

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Klingler J, Gloor P (1960) The connections of the amygdala and of the anterior temporal cortex in the human brain. J Comp Neurol 115: 333–369

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Komaromy L (1960) Anatomische Gehirnsektion. Verlag der Ungarischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Budapest

    Google Scholar 

  29. Lang J (1981) Klinische Anatomie des Kopfes. Neurokranium, Orbita, raniozervikaler Übergang. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  30. Lang J, Belz J (1981) Form und Masse der Gyri und Sulci an der Facies superolateralis und Facies inferior hemispherii. J Hirnforsch 22: 517–533

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Lassek AM (1954) The pyramidal tract. Its status in medicine. C. C. Thomas, Springfield, Ill

    Google Scholar 

  32. Ludwig E, Klingler J (1956) Atlas cerebri humani. Karger, Basel New York

    Google Scholar 

  33. Monakow C von (1915) Zur Anatomie und Physiologie der Pyramidenbahn und der Armregion, nebst Bemerkungen über die sekundäre Degeneration des Fasciculus centroparietalis. Neurol Zbl 34: 217–224

    Google Scholar 

  34. Nathan PW, Smith MC (1955) Long descending tract in man. 1. review of present knowledge. Brain 78: 248–303

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Nieuwenhuys R, Voogd J, van Huijzen C (1988) The human central nervous system. A synopsis and atlas, 3rd Ed. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  36. Pfeiffer RA (1934) Myelogenetisch-anatomische Untersuchungen über den zentralen Abschnitt der Taststrahlung, Pyramidenbahn, der Hirnnerven und zusätzlicher motorischer Bahnen. Nova Acta Leop Carol 1: 341–473

    Google Scholar 

  37. Ono M, Kubik S, Obernathey CD (1990) Atlas of the cerebral sulci. Thieme, Stuttgart New York

    Google Scholar 

  38. Quensel F (1910) Über den Stabkranz des menschlichen Stirnhirnes. Folia Neuro-Biol 4: 319–334

    Google Scholar 

  39. Ross ED (1960) Localization of the pyramidal tract in the internal capsule by whole brain dissection. Neurology 30: 59–64

    Google Scholar 

  40. Seeger W (1978) Atlas of topographical anatomy of the brain and the surrounding structures for neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists and neuropathologists. Springer, Wien New York

    Google Scholar 

  41. Seeger W (1980) Microsurgery of the brain. Anatomical and technical principles. 1st Ed. Springer, Wien New York

    Google Scholar 

  42. Talairach J, Szikla G (1967) Atlas of stereotaxic anatomy of the telencephalon. Masson and Cie, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  43. Tredici G, Pizzini G, Bigliun G, Tagliabue M (1982) The site of motor corticospinal fibers in the internal capsule of man. A computerised tomographic study of restricted lesion. J Anat 134: 199–208

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Wood CC, Spencer DD, Allison T, McCarthy G, Williams PD, Groff WR (1988) Localization of human sensorimotor cortex during surgery by cortical surface recordings of somatosensory evoked potentials. J Neurosurg 68: 99–111

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Woolsey CN, Erikson TC, Gibson WE (1979) Localization in somatic sensory and motor areas of human cerebral cortex as determined by direct recording of evoked potentials and electrical stimulation. J Neurosurg 51: 476–506

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurosurgical Clinic, University of Berne, Switzerland

    U. Ebeling

  2. Neurosurgical Clinic, University of Munich, Grosshadern, Germany

    H. -J. Reulen

Authors
  1. U. Ebeling
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. -J. Reulen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ebeling, U., Reulen, H.J. Subcortical topography and proportions of the pyramidal tract. Acta neurochir 118, 164–171 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01401303

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01401303

Keywords

Search

Navigation