Semioval center
Centrum semiovale
Definition
The semioval center (a.k.a. the centrum semiovale) is the large central mass of subcortical white matter located in each cerebral hemisphere. It lies deep to the cerebral cortex, particularly evident above the level of the lateral ventricles and corpus callosum. Inferiorly, it is continuous with the deeper white matter of the cerebral hemisphere.
The semioval center contains a mixture of projection, association, and commissural fibres.
Projection fibres include the corona radiata, whose fibres converge toward or diverge from the internal capsule.
Association fibres connect different cortical regions within the same cerebral hemisphere,
While commissural fibres, particularly fibres of the corpus callosum, connect corresponding or related cortical areas of the two cerebral hemispheres.
Semioval center Vs. corona radiata
Thus, the centrum semiovale is an anatomical region containing several fibre systems, whereas the corona radiata specifically refers to the radiating projection fibres passing through this white matter.
