What is the difference between a sulcus and a gyrus?

A sulcus is a groove or furrow, while a gyrus is a ridge or fold between sulci, especially in the brain.

Is 'sulcus' used only for the brain?

Primarily for the brain, but it can refer to grooves in other organs, tissues, or even in geology and botany.

How do you pronounce 'sulcus' correctly?

It is pronounced /ˈsʌlkəs/, with the stress on the first syllable.

What is the plural form of 'sulcus'?

The plural is 'sulci', pronounced /ˈsʌlsiː/ or /ˈsʌlkaɪ/, depending on context.

Is “sulcus” formal?

Sulcus is usually formal/technical in register.

sulcus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Technical

UK/ˈsʌlkəs/US/ˈsʌlkəs/

Formal/Technical

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “sulcus” mean?

A groove or furrow, especially one on the surface of the brain or another organ.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A groove or furrow, especially one on the surface of the brain or another organ.

In broader contexts, it can refer to similar grooves in biological tissues, geological formations, or other anatomical structures.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning, spelling, or usage between British and American English.

Connotations

Same technical and formal connotations in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally low frequency in both, confined primarily to technical and academic contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “sulcus” in a Sentence

the sulcus of [organ]a sulcus in [tissue]sulci on the surface

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

central sulcuslateral sulcuscerebral sulcus

medium

deep sulcusprominent sulcusanatomical sulcus

weak

small sulcusvarious sulcibrain sulcus

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not applicable; rarely used in business contexts.

Academic

Common in medical, biological, and neuroscience literature.

Everyday

Rarely used in everyday conversation.

Technical

Frequently used in anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, and related technical fields.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “sulcus”

Strong

fissure

Neutral

groove furrow

Weak

indentation depression

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “sulcus”

ridge crest elevation

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “sulcus”

Mispronounced as /ˈsʊlkəs/ or /ˈsʌlkjʊs/
Misspelled as 'sulkus' or 'sulcuss'
Used in non-technical contexts where 'groove' is more appropriate.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: A sulcus is a groove or furrow, while a gyrus is a ridge or fold between sulci, especially in the brain.
: Primarily for the brain, but it can refer to grooves in other organs, tissues, or even in geology and botany.
: It is pronounced /ˈsʌlkəs/, with the stress on the first syllable.
: The plural is 'sulci', pronounced /ˈsʌlsiː/ or /ˈsʌlkaɪ/, depending on context.
: A groove or furrow, especially one on the surface of the brain or another organ.
: Sulcus is usually formal/technical in register.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'sulcus' as 'sulk us' – when the brain sulks, it forms grooves.

Conceptual Metaphor

Often metaphorically described as a 'pathway' or 'channel' for neural activity or structural division.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The is a key groove that divides the frontal and parietal lobes in the human brain.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary meaning of 'sulcus'?