Anterior median fissure of medulla oblongata
Fissura mediana anterior medullae oblongatae
- Synonym: Ventral median fissure of medulla oblongata
- Related terms: Anterior median fissure; Anterior median fissure; Ventral median fissure
Definition
The Anterior Median 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 which 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.
References
This definition incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy (20th U.S. edition of Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body, published in 1918 – from http://www.bartleby.com/107/).
