Pronunciation: [sˈʌlkəs] (IPA) 
Sulcus (/'sʌlkəs/) is a term used in anatomy to refer to a groove or furrow, particularly in the brain. The word comes from the Latin term 'sulcus,' which means a furrow or a trench. Given the word's origin, its pronunciation may seem tricky, with the 's' sound at the beginning being followed by the 'u' vowel. However, the IPA phonetic transcription of /'sʌlkəs/ helps explain the spelling of the word and its correct pronunciation.
A sulcus is a noun that refers to a groove or furrow, particularly in the human body. It is an anatomical term used in medicine and biology to describe a shallow depression or crevice on the surface of an organ, tissue, or bone. The word "sulcus" originated from the Latin word "sulcus," meaning a furrow or groove.
In terms of human anatomy, a sulcus can be found in various parts of the body. For instance, the cerebral sulci are shallow grooves on the surface of the brain that divide it into different regions. These sulci play a crucial role in determining the structure, function, and connectivity of various brain areas.
The term is also used in relation to skeletal structures. For example, the intertubercular sulcus, commonly known as the bicipital groove, is a furrow in the humerus bone of the upper arm. It serves as a channel for the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii muscle.
In dentistry, sulcus refers to the shallow space or crevice between the tooth and the gum. Dentists often measure the depth of the sulcus to assess the health of the gums and detect potential periodontal diseases.
Overall, sulcus is a versatile term used to describe a groove or furrow in various anatomical structures, playing a significant role in different fields such as brain anatomy, skeletal structure analysis, and oral health assessment.
1. One of the grooves or furrows on the surface of the brain, bounding the several convolutions or gyri, a fissure. 2. Any long narrow groove, furrow, or slight depression.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "sulcus" is derived from the Latin language. It comes from the Latin noun "sulcus", which means a furrow, trench, or groove. The Latin word itself is thought to have originated from the Proto-Indo-European root *selk-, meaning to cut or split. Over time, this Latin term was adopted into medical and anatomical terminology, where it refers to specific grooves, furrows, or depressions in various structures of the body, such as the brain or bones.
