types of aphasias

Question 1

Wernickes aphasia (receptive)

Answer 1

Due to a lesion of the superior temporal gyrus. It is typically supplied by the inferior division of the left MCA

This area ‘forms’ the speech before ‘sending it’ to Broca’s area. Lesions result in sentences that make no sense, word substitution and neologisms but speech remains fluent - ‘word salad’

Comprehension is impaired

Question 2

Brocas Aphasia (expressive)

Answer 2

Due to a lesion of the inferior frontal gyrus. It is typically supplied by the superior division of the left MCA

Speech is non-fluent, laboured, and halting. Repetition is impaired

Comprehension is normal

Question 3

Conduction Aphasia

Answer 3

Classically due to a stroke affecting the arcuate fasiculus - the connection between Wernicke’s and Broca’s area

Speech is fluent but repetition is poor. Aware of the errors they are making

Comprehension is normal