Language Processing Flashcards
what separates the human brain into 2 distinct cerebral hemisphere
sagittal (medial longitudinal) fissure
what are the two distinct cerebral hemispheres connected by
corpus callosum
the __________ of brain function is the tendency for some neural functions or cognitive processes to be specialized to one side over the other
lateralization
what are some examples of lateralization of function
- discrete functions, processing capabilities, and reasoning
a) Sensory inputs (vision) and motor commands
b) Language processing
c) Value systems
- [L - ethics/rules]
- [R- holistic/metaphorical]
language, math, logic, reasoning
left hemi
spatial abilities, facial recognition, visual imagery, music
right hemi
established lateralization is that of __________ and _________ areas, where both are often (not always) found exclusively on the left hemisphere
Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas
language dominant hemi
LEFT hemi
[95% of right handed people]
important speech and language pathways
what are the components of the language pathways
1) sources of lang info
2) centralized lang reception & interpretation
- collect + compare
3) lang production
what are the source of lang info
a) primary auditory cortex (BA 41/42)
b) primary sensory cortex (BA1/2/3)
c) primary visual cortex (BA17)
what are the centralized lang reception/interpretation areas
1) wernickes area (sensory speech area or speech receiving)
2) angular gyrus (complex lang function)
what are the areas of lang production (5)
a) supramarginal gyrus
- role in planning speech
b) Brocas area
- motor speech area
c) supplemental motor speech area
- control of rhythm and articulation
d) primary motor cortex
- skeletal muscle control (depending on mode of lang production)
e) right (nondominant hemi)
- emotional/attitude/melodic components of speech
what is the sub-cortical fiber pathway called ______ that connects (Wernicke’s area) to (Broca’s area).
called the arcuate fasciculus
which major artery provides branches that supply brocas and wernickes areas
middle cerebral artery
stroke, head trauma, encephalitis, dementia, brain cancer, etc. can cause pathological conditions affecting speech/language processing such as the following
aphasia/dysphasia
dysarthria
agnosia
apraxia
loss/reduction of ability to understand or express speech
aphasia/dysphasia
speech disorder caused by disturbance of muscular control, often resulting in slurred or slow speech
dysarthria
inability to interpret sensations and hence to recognize things (people, objects, sounds, shapes)
Agnosia
inability to perform certain purposive physical actions due to damage to areas of learned patterns of movement (simple tasks)
Apraxia
Brocas aphasia (motor/expressive/non-fluent)
auditory and reading comprehension normal
writing impaired
spontaneous speech slow and labored
repetition weak
[tip of tongue - understood of whats being asked/told]
Wernicke’s Aphasia (sensory/receptive/fluent)
auditory and reading comprehension impaired/weakened
writing weakened
spontaneous speech fluent but may lack meaning
repetition impaired
[no trouble producing speech sounds but no understanding of what is being said/what their saying]
Ideomotor apraxia
the impaired ability to perform a skilled gesture with a limb upon verbal command and/or by imitation
[no idea of how to do simple tasks]
Speech apraxia
the impaired ability to perform motor skills necessary to produce speech, even as repetition
[cannot mimic interviewer by producing speech]
types of aphasia
1) global
2) conduction
Global Aphasia
Results from damage to both Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas
[All language functions would be impaired]
Conduction aphasia (lesion of arcuate fasciculus)
auditory comprehension slightly abnormal
reading comprehension may be normal, but writes with occasional errors
spontaneous speech fluent but occasional wrong word; repetition abnormal
inability to process subtle aspects of communication such as tone of voice, emotion, and facial expression
CN and if damaged, their effect on speech production
the production of __________requires integration of diverse information sources in order to generate the intricate patterns of muscle activation required for fluency.
production of speech
large portion of the __________, along with associated subcortical structures, is involved in even the simplest speech task, such as reading a single word.
cerebral cortex
