Three-Dimensional Anatomy of the Anterior Commissure: A Tractography and Anatomical Study

Abstract

Background: The anterior commissure (AC) is one of the main commissural fibers of the brain. The commissural fibers are involved in bilateral integration and coordination of any normal brain activity. The AC is an important interhemispheric structure that forms a bidirectional communication channel between the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes bilaterally.

Methods: In the present study, we focused on describing the morphology, relationships, and distribution of the AC using diffusion spectrum imaging-based fiber tracking. The tractograms were compared with the findings from gross anatomical dissection of the AC of adult brains.

Results: Our findings suggest that the AC found using tracking methods is larger than that found by dissection.

Conclusions: The use of tractography added extensions to the main AC structure.

Keywords: Anterior commissure; Connectome; Diffusion spectrum imaging; Fiber dissection; Heterotopic; Tractography.