Anterior median fissure of the medulla oblongata

Anterior median fissure of the medulla oblongata
Section of the medulla oblongata at about the middle of the olive. (Anterior median fissure labeled at bottom center.)
Details
Identifiers
Latinfissura mediana anterior medullae oblongatae
NeuroNames700
TA98A14.1.04.001
TA25984
FMA83734
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The anterior median fissure (ventral or ventromedian fissure) contains a fold of pia mater, and extends along the entire length of the medulla oblongata: It ends at the lower border of the pons in a small triangular expansion, termed the foramen cecum.

Its lower part is interrupted by bundles of fibers that cross obliquely from one side to the other, and constitute the pyramidal decussation.

Some fibers, termed the anterior external arcuate fibers, emerge from the fissure above this decussation and curve lateralward and upward over the surface of the medulla oblongata to join the inferior peduncle.

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References

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Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 767 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)