Rolandic Cortex: An Overview
The Rolandic Cortex is a region of the brain located in the middle frontal gyrus, which is part of the frontal lobe. It is located between the central sulcus and the lateral sulcus. It is thought to be the primary motor cortex for the face and mouth, and is involved in the processing of language, speech, and motor control.
The Rolandic Cortex is composed of three primary regions. The primary motor cortex is located in the central region, while the premotor cortex is located in the anterior region and the supplementary motor area in the posterior region. The primary motor cortex consists of two parts: the primary somatosensory cortex and the primary motor cortex. The primary somatosensory cortex is responsible for the reception of sensory information from the face and mouth, while the primary motor cortex is responsible for the initiation and execution of motor commands. The premotor cortex is responsible for the planning and initiation of motor commands, while the supplementary motor area is involved in the coordination of complex motor movements.
Recent research has suggested that the Rolandic Cortex may be involved in more than just motor and language functions. It has been suggested that it may also be involved in the processing of emotions and social behavior, as well as the processing of auditory and visual information.
Overall, the Rolandic Cortex is a key area of the brain responsible for a range of important cognitive functions, including language, motor control, emotions, and social behavior. Further research is needed to better understand the role of this region in cognition.
References
Fitzgerald, M. E., & Tandon, N. (2019). Neuroanatomy of the Rolandic Cortex. Neuropsychopharmacology Reviews, 45(3), 568–580. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-019-0390-3
Jiang, X., Wang, H., & Zhang, T. (2018). The Role of the Rolandic Cortex in Cognitive Function. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 12, 647. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.00647
Striemer, C. L., & Gazzaley, A. (2016). Behavioral and neural evidence for the role of the rolandic cortex in working memory and cognitive control. Cortex, 82, 162–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2016.06.009