The opercula are the 'lids' of cortex from the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes that fold over and hide the insula inside the lateral sulcus. The frontal operculum includes parts of the inferior frontal gyrus, the frontoparietal operculum covers the lower ends of the precentral and postcentral gyri, and the temporal operculum is formed by the superior temporal gyrus.
| Location | Margins of the lateral sulcus, overlying the insula |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Connections |
|
| Blood Supply | Middle cerebral artery (M3 opercular segment) |
Covers the insula and contains areas for speech production, face and mouth movement, taste and hearing.
Bilateral damage to the frontoparietal opercula causes Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome, with paralysis of voluntary face, tongue and swallowing movements but preserved automatic movements such as yawning or smiling. The frontoparietal operculum also contains the primary taste area. Opercular seizures can cause drooling, chewing and speech arrest.
Bilateral anterior opercular damage causing loss of voluntary facial, tongue and swallowing control with preserved reflex movements.
Seizures with throat tightness, drooling or facial sensations from the opercular and insular region.
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