Chapter 6. Language Areas in the Brain

Learning Objectives

auditory cortex
region in the temporal lobe of the brain’s cerebral hemispheres that is the primary area for hearing and for processing speech sounds
motor cortex
region in the frontal lobe of the brain’s cerebral hemispheres; initiates muscle movements and moves mouth to pronounce words
angular gyrus
region in the parietal lobe of the brain’s cerebral hemispheres; turns visual representations into sounds that Wernicke’s area can understand
visual cortex
area in the occipital lobes that receives and processes information from the eyes
Broca’s area
region in the frontal lobe of the brain’s cerebral hemispheres; involved in producing speech via the motor cortex
Wernicke’s area
at the intersection of the temporal and parietal lobes of the brain’s cerebral hemispheres; involved in comprehending language by interpreting speech sounds
hemisphere
one half of the brain; divided into four lobes
Language Areas in the Brain
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Left side view of the brain with language areas highlighted in the left hemisphere.

side view of the brain with language areas highlighted

Learning Objectives:

Locate the major brain areas in the left hemisphere that are involved in language.

Identify the basic functions of each brain area involved in language.

Review

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Diagram of the left hemisphere of the brain. The following structures are labeled: motor cortex, parietal lobe, Wernicke's area, angular gyrus, occipital lobe, visual cortex, cerebellum, temporal lobe, auditory cortex, Broca's area, frontal lobe.

1. Language involves several distinct areas in the brain (usually in the left hemisphere of the brain, as shown here).

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Diagram of the left hemisphere of the brain.

2. When a person is speaking, Broca’s area generates the speech code and sends those signals to the motor cortex, which moves the muscles of the mouth to produce speech sounds.

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Diagram of the left hemisphere of the brain.

3. When a person is listening to speech, the auditory cortex processes the sound waves and creates an auditory code. Wernicke’s area then interprets the auditory code as language.

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Diagram of the left hemisphere of the brain.

4. Two additional brain areas are involved when a person is reading. First, the visual cortex processes the printed words on a page to create a visual representation of each letter.

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Diagram of the left hemisphere of the brain.

5. Then the angular gyrus uses the output from the visual cortex to produce an auditory code that Wernicke’s area can understand.

Practice: Exploring Language Areas

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Practice: Exploring Language Areas

Roll over each item and, for those that appear highlighted, see a brief description.

Function of the selected brain structure:

processes written words and creates visual representations

interprets auditory code as language

turns visual representations into an auditory code

moves mouth muscles to pronounce words

generates speech code and controls speech muscles via the motor cortex

processes sound waves and creates an auditory code

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Diagram of the left hemisphere of the brain.

Quiz 1

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Quiz 1

Drag each label to the line pointing to the appropriate structure. When all the labels have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

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Diagram of the left hemisphere of the brain with labels removed.

Select the NEXT button and move to Quiz 2.
Perhaps you should go back to review language areas of the brain.
Visual cortex
Broca’s area
Motor cortex
Wernicke’s area
Auditory cortex
Angular gyrus

Quiz 2

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Quiz 2

Match the terms with their descriptions by dragging each colored circle to the appropriate gray circle. When all the circles have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

Select the NEXT button for the Conclusion.
Perhaps you should go back to review language areas of the brain.
auditory cortex
motor cortex
visual cortex
Broca’s area
angular gyrus
Wernicke’s area
processes written words and creates visual representations
generates speech code and controls mouth muscles via the motor cortex
processes sound waves and creates an auditory code
moves mouth muscles to pronounce words
interprets auditory code as language
turns visual representations into an auditory code

Conclusion

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side view/left hemisphere of brain with language areas highlighted
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