Brain, Behavior and Evolution
Size and Shape of the Cerebral Cortex in Mammals (Part 1 of 2)I. The Cortical Surface
Hofman M.A.
Netherlands Institute for Brain Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
|
|
Log in to MyKarger to check if you already have access to this content.
KAB
Buy a Karger Article Bundle (KAB) and profit from a discount!
If you would like to redeem your KAB credit, please log in.
Save over 20% compared to the individual article price.
Access via DeepDyve
- Unlimited fulltext viewing Of this article
- Organize, annotate And mark up articles
- Printing And downloading restrictions apply
Article / Publication Details
Published online: February 21, 2008
Issue release date: 1985
Number of Print Pages: 7
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 0006-8977 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9743 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/BBE
Abstract
The evolution of the brain in mammals has been accompanied by a progressive enlargement of the cerebral cortex. Allometric analysis of the volume, surface and convolutedness of this cortex shows that among mammals two major groups can be distinguished: (1) species with lissencephalic brains, where surface-volume relationships are determined by linear geometric laws, and (2) species with gyrencephalic brains, where strict geometric similarity no longer applies. Different mathematical models are required to describe the brain morphology in these groups. It has been shown, moreover, that among species with convoluted brains, marine mammals (Cetacea) form a subgroup in that the cerebrocortical surface in these animals is more folded than in terrestrial mammals of similar brain size. Thus it appears that the use of a single allometric relation in studying the effect of size increase on the geometry of the brain – irrespective of convolutedness or ecological strategy – as has been done in previous studies, is unjustified and obscures the differences in the structural organization of mammalian brains. Finally, a dimensionless index of cortical folding is proposed, which indicates that the degree of cortical folding depends not only on the volume of the brain or cortex but on cortical thickness as well.
© 1985 S. Karger AG, Basel
Related Articles:
Article / Publication Details
Published online: February 21, 2008
Issue release date: 1985
Number of Print Pages: 7
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 0006-8977 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9743 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/BBE
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.

Get Permission