What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sulcus
Example
The sulcus on the tongue helps to guide food towards the throat. [sulcus: noun]
Example
The lateral sulcus separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain. [sulcus: noun]
Example
The sulcus on the femur provides attachment for the thigh muscles. [sulcus: noun]
fissure
Example
The fissure in the rock was too narrow to climb through. [fissure: noun]
Example
The San Andreas Fault is a major geological fissure in California. [fissure: noun]
Example
The calcarine fissure divides the occipital lobe of the brain into two parts. [fissure: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sulcus is more commonly used than fissure in medical and anatomical contexts, as it is a more specific term for describing grooves or furrows on the surface of organs or tissues. Fissure is more commonly used in geological contexts to describe cracks or openings in the earth's surface.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sulcus and fissure?
Both sulcus and fissure are formal words that are commonly used in scientific and medical contexts. However, sulcus may be considered slightly more formal due to its more specialized usage in anatomy and physiology.
