Higher Cortical Functions Flashcards
Association Fibers
Corticocortical fibers connecting ipsilateral hemisphere structures
Commissural fibers
Corticocortical fibers connecting contralateral hemisphere structures
Lateral fissure of the Left hemisphere
extends farther posterior
Lateral fissure of the Right hemisphere
rises more steeply
Planum Temporale is
larger on the left side, esp in individuals with “perfect pitch”
Planum Temporal location
Superior Temporal gyrus posterior to the primary auditory cortex
Asymmetries between right and left side are
present at birth and may indicate genetic importances with regard to LANGUAGE
Male brains are less symmetrical and do not have
frontal or occipital poles
Female brains tend to have larger
spleniums of corpus callosums
Dominant Hemisphere
hemisphere responsible for the comprehension and production of language
Right-handed people mainly have _______ dominant hemispheres
LEFT
Left-handed people mainly have ______ dominant hemispheres
LEFT
Dominant Hemisphere Functions
Language and speech, mathematics, problem solving, and visual sign language
Non-dominant Functions
Emotion, artistic ability, simple, spatial relationships, music poetry
Wada Test
to determine the dominant hemisphere; if injection of Sodium Amytal is into Carotid of dominant side, patient’s arm opposite to injection will drop and they will stop counting until drug wears off; non-dominant side: counting will resume
Broca’s Area
Dominant side for generation of language (area 44-45)
Broca’s Location
Opercular and triangular portions of the inferior frontal gyrus
Broca’s Function
generation of propositional language - grammar, syntax, semantics
Broca’s projects to
primary motor cortex for execution of articulation and phonation of speech
Broca’s receives input from
Wernicke’s via superior longitudinal fasciculus
Wernicke’s Area
Dominant side for understanding of propositional speech
Wernicke’s receives input from
auditory, visual, and somatosensory cortices
Sensory Speech area
Wernicke’s
Wernicke’s location
superior and middle temporal gyri, posterior to the primary auditory cortex
Speech
mechanical aspect of oral communication
Hyperphonia
increased volume; auditory problems
Hypophonia
decreased volume; basal ganglia disorders or peripheral nerve problems
Rate of speech
Normal rate is 100-150 words/minute
Broca’s aphasia effect on rate of speech
decrease rate
Wernicke’s aphasia effect on rate of speech
increase rate
Dysarthria
slurred speech or slowed speech
Paraphasic apeech
interruption of normal flow of speech with inappropriate words or phrases
Prosody
the inflection to convey intent of speech (NON-DOMINANT HEMISPHERE)
Initiation of speech is controlled by
Supplementary motor area (SMA)
Dysarthria
disturbance in articulation due to loss of motor control over peripheral structures, but language ability is retained
Flaccid Dysarthria
lesion to brainstem nuclei of peripheral nerve
Spastic Dysarthria
lesion to corticobulbar region
Ataxic Dysarthria
cerebellar disease
Dysphonia
disturbance in vocalization or phonation (loss of voice)
Common causes of dysphonia
laryngitis, damage to superior laryngeal nerve, pathology to vocal cords, or laryngeal cancer
Simple tic
inarticulate noises or sounds
Complex tics
articulate words, phrases, or sentences (Tourette’s)
Echolalia complex tics
involuntary repetition of the last sound form another person, may be only verbal output
Coprolalia
involuntary utterance of socially unacceptable words, phrases
Stuttering
involuntary repetition of the 1st syllable (machine-gun like)
Stammering
involuntary stutter but followed by prolonged silence
Most common stutter
developmental
Stuttering my be brought on by
physical or emotional discomfort
Stuttering is thought to be the result of
a struggle for cerebral dominance
Language
cognitive aspect of symbolic communication
6 components to language:
Expressive Speech, Comprehension, Repetition, Naming, Reading, Writing
Expressive Speech is analyzed by
spontaneous or conversational speech
Comprehension is analyzed by
ordinary conversation, simple or complex commands, yes/no questions, pointing to objects
Repetition is analyzed by
repeating numbers, words, or sentences
Naming is analyzed by
naming objects
Reading assesses
reading out loud and comprehension
Writing assesses
dictation and command (also expressive speech)
Aphasia definition
language dysfunction caused by neurological disorders
