Sylvian cistern

Last revised by Francis Deng on 28 Nov 2021

The Sylvian cistern, also known as the insular cistern, is the deep (cisternal) part of the Sylvian fissure, which may be considered one of the CSF-filled subarachnoid cisterns.

Gross anatomy

There are two paired cisterns on either side. It is the transitional area between the basal cisterns and the subarachnoid space 2.

Relations and/or Boundaries

The cistern is part of the Sylvian fissure 3. The anterior part sits between the fronto-orbital cortex and the temporal lobe. The posterior part borders the insular cortex and the medial surface of the operculum (fronto-parietal and temporal).

Medially, it communicates with the carotid cistern. Laterally, it becomes the superficial part of the Sylvian fissure.

Contents

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