Langauge in the Brain Flashcards
Where is Wernicke’s area?
The posterior, superior temporal gyrus in the left hemisphere.
What is fluent aphasia?
The inability to understand language (written or spoken), use correct words to express thought. When speak, a bunch of random words come out! The patient is unaware of the problem. They have a difficulty in UNDERSTANDING AND PROCESSING SPEECH.
Where is Broca’s area?
In the posterior, inferior frontal gyrus.
What is non-fluent aphasia?
Loss of the ability to produce spoken or written language. Patients have insight into their problem and find it very frustrating.
LOSS OF GOOD SPEECH PRODUCTION.
Are phonology and semantics processed in different bits of Broca’s area?
Yep! Semantics seems to happen in the POr. And phonology in the pars POp.
So does Broca’s area function as a singular unit?
No, unlikely. The difference in processing between the pars suggests that a) Broca’s area isn’t just important for speech production, and b) that Broca’s area isn’t a single unit.
Is there a double dissociation of function in Broca’s area?
Looks like it – if BA is compartmentalised, any stimulation should interfere only with the function of the part of BA it is applied to.
This is seen: anterior stimulation = slowed semantic performance. Posterior stimulation = slowed phonological performance.
What was Wernicke’s model of language in the brain like?
He suggested the language system in the brain was made of components functionally specialised to different brain regions.
Speech input –> STG –> BA –> output.
He KNEW it wasn’t a simple sound–>motor transformation, but he didn’t know how the accessing meaning bit happened!
