Speech disorders

Question 1

Where is broca’s area (lobe and side) and what does it do?

Answer 1

• frontal lobe (brodmann 44, 45), left side

- motor functions of speech production

Question 2

Where is wernicke’s area (lobe and side) and what does it do?

Answer 2

• temporal lobe (brodmann 22), left side

- comprehension of language

Question 3

What is broca’s aphasia?

Answer 3

Expressive aphasia

• Speech is non-fluent, laboured, and halting (can’t get the words out)
• Comprehension is normal

Question 4

What is wernicke’s aphasia?

Answer 4

Receptive aphasia

• Sentences that make no sense, word substitution and neologisms but speech remains fluent
• Comprehension is impaired

Question 5

What is conduction aphasia?

Answer 5

• Classically due to a stroke affecting the arcuate fasiculus - the connection between Wernicke’s and Broca’s area
• Speech is fluent but can’t repeat words if someone asks. Aware of the errors they are making
• Comprehension is normal

Question 6

Global aphasia

Answer 6

Large lesion affecting broca’s, wernicke’s areas and arcuate fasciculus resulting in severe expressive and receptive aphasia

Question 7

Dysarthria

Answer 7

Disordered articulation or slurred speech - paralysis, slowing or incoordination of muscles of articulation of speech.
A/w Parkinson’s, Myasthenia, ALS, MS, Huntington’s, CP

Question 8

Apraxia of Speech

Answer 8

Poor ability to translate conscious speech plans into motor plans.
difficulty connecting speech messages from the brain to the mouth.
difficulty in speech production, specifically with sequencing and forming sounds