Language Anatomy

Broca’s Area

Region in the left inferior frontal gyrus responsible for speech production and grammatical processing

Wernicke’s Area

Region in the posterior superior temporal gyrus responsible for language comprehension and meaning

Left Inferior Frontal Gyrus

Frontal lobe region containing Broca’s area involved in speech production and syntax

Posterior Superior Temporal Gyrus

Temporal lobe region containing Wernicke’s area involved in understanding spoken language

Heschl’s Gyrus

Primary auditory cortex that processes basic sound information for speech perception

Planum Temporale

Region posterior to Heschl’s gyrus involved in language processing and typically larger in the left hemisphere

Arcuate Fasciculus

White matter tract connecting Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas enabling communication between comprehension and production

Insula

Brain region involved in speech articulation and motor planning of language

Middle Temporal Gyrus (MTG)

Temporal lobe region involved in word meaning and semantic processing

Anterior Temporal Lobe

Region involved in higher-order semantic processing and conceptual knowledge

Superior Temporal Sulcus (STS)

Region involved in processing speech sounds

Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC)

Region involved in working memory and higher-level language processing such as comprehension and integration

Inferior Parietal Lobule

Region involved in verbal working memory and integration of sensory and language information

Angular Gyrus

Parietal region involved in reading

Visual Word Form Area (VWFA)

Region in the left fusiform gyrus specialized for recognizing written words

Fusiform Gyrus

Temporal lobe region involved in visual processing including word and face recognition

Primary Auditory Cortex

Region that processes basic auditory input necessary for speech perception

Temporal Lobe Language Regions

Network of areas involved in processing word meaning

Frontal Lobe Language Regions

Network of areas involved in speech production