cortical parcellation scheme
Systematic method for dividing the cerebral cortex into distinct anatomical or functional regions based on predefined criteria.
Full Definition
A cortical parcellation scheme is a standardized framework for subdividing the cerebral cortex into discrete regions or parcels based on anatomical landmarks, cytoarchitectural properties, or functional characteristics. These schemes provide a common reference system for comparing results across studies and enable region-of-interest analyses. Popular schemes include Brodmann areas, the Desikan-Killiany atlas, and the Human Connectome Project's multimodal parcellation, each offering different levels of granularity and organizational principles.
Usage
Usage note: Use 'scheme' rather than 'system' to maintain consistency with established neuroanatomical terminology.
In Context
- "The analysis utilized the Desikan-Killiany cortical parcellation scheme to define regions of interest." — Neuroimaging methodology paper
- "Consistency across studies improved when researchers adopted the same cortical parcellation scheme." — Meta-analysis discussion