Which of the following fissures is responsible for separating the right and left hemispheres of the brain?

The longitudinal fissure is the significant separation that divides the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This deep groove runs along the midline of the brain, creating a clear demarcation between the two hemispheres, both of which serve distinct functions and processes vital for overall brain function.

Understanding the role of the longitudinal fissure is essential, as it not only separates the hemispheres but also facilitates lateralization of functions, meaning that certain cognitive and motor functions are predominantly managed by one hemisphere over the other. For example, in most individuals, the left hemisphere is more involved in language processing, while the right hemisphere often handles spatial awareness and creative tasks.

The other options, while significant in their respective contexts, do not serve the same purpose. Wernicke's area refers specifically to a region involved in language comprehension, not a fissure. The central sulcus, which separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe, and the fissure of Rolando, another name for the central sulcus, are critical structural features but are not responsible for dividing the two hemispheres.