Language and Communication Flashcards
What is aphasia, dysarthria, dysphonia, or mutism?
Aphasia = disorder of language Dysarthria = slurred speech Dysphonia = hoarseness Mutism = no sounds can be utter even with muscle strength
What cortical region is Broca’s area? What cortical area is Wernicke’s area?
Broca’s area is the inferior frontal cortex. Wernicke’s area is the postero-superior temporal gyrus.
What area was posited (but later found not to be true) to cause conduction aphasia when lesioned? What is conduction aphasia?
Arcuate fasciculus. Conduction aphasia is when you can’t repeat.
Define lexical, semantic, and phonologic aspects of language, and where the apparatus for these likely resides in the brain?
Lexical (word recognition), semantic (word meaning) and phonologic (word formation) likely reside int he dominant superior temporal gyrus and surrounding areas
What does the inferior frontal gyrus participate in?
Production of words and phrases, grammar, syntax, and fluency
What other deficit typically accompanies Broca’s aphasia?
Since it is usually due to superior branch of middle cerebral artery lesion, they usually have contralateral facial and arm weakness as well.
What other deficit usually accompanies Wernicke’s or fluent aphasia?
Since it is usually due to a lesion in the inferior branch of the middle cerebral artery, typically have a contralateral superior quadrantanopsia
What usually accompanies global aphasia?
Due to lesion of the entire middle cerebral artery. Accomplished by contralateral hemiparesis, gaze preference, and contralateral hemianopsia
***What is prosody?
The rhythm, stress and intonation of speech. Presence of sarcasm, emphasis, contrast, focus etc.
***Lesion of what structure leads to dysprosody?
Lesion of the non-dominant perisylvian structures
What is the usual hemisphere of dominance for language?
Left hemisphere.
** What is the standard test for establishing language dominance?
Wada test, where a short acting barbiturate is injected into each hemisphere via carotid artery to see if it impairs language processes.
What are primary progressive aphasias?
Aphasias with insidious onset and slow progression, usually due to molecular abnormalities such as tauopathies in frontal and temporal lobes.
What features characterize Broca’s non-fluent aphasia?
Effortful, frustrated production which is limited, with grammatical and syntactical errors.
- Repetition is absent.
- Comprehension is spared.
- Patients are frustrated by their errors
- Patients have accompanying agraphia
What features characterize fluent aphasia?
Produce language fluently and effortlessly and is unaware that the production is flawed. Contains errors of sound or word substitutions (paraphasias)
-Repetition and comprehension poor
