- Broca’s Area: portion of the left cerebral hemisphere involved in the control of speech.
- Wernicke’s area: portion of the left cerebral hemisphere involved in the language understanding.
If damage were to occur to each area how would this effect an individuals language and speech?
Language
- Aphasia: is used to describe language deficits caused by brain damage.
- Paul Broca (1860): damage to a specific area on the side of the left frontal lobe linked to expressive aphasia
- Damage in left Broca’s area leads to difficulty enunciating words + speak slower however can still understand and comprehend
Carl Wernicke
- Studied the effects of brain damage on language and speech
- Noted that not all language impairments were the result of damage to Broca’s area
- damage to another site in the cortex (in left hemisphere but in the temporal lobe) was linked to language disorder (receptive aphasia)
Wernicke-Geshwind Model
- Broca’s area: articulator code that activate muscles to pronounce a word
- Wernicke’s area: “auditory codes” and meaning of words stored.
Speaking A Heard Word
- Process: Impulses from ear > Primary Auditory Area> Wernicke’s Area > Broca’s Area > Directs Motor Cortex
Speaking A Written Word
- Process: Primary Visual Cortex > Angular Gyrus>Wernicke’s Areaà Broca’s Area >Primary Motor Cortex
The Importance of each area
- Wernicke’s Area: no comprehension but can still articulate words properly however no significant meaning
- Broca’s Area: little effect on comprehension or written language but disrupts speech production
- Angular Gyrus: no longer have the ability to read but can comprehend speech and speak
- Auditory Cortex: can read + speak but no comprehension of spoken speech
