Ch. 15 : the Temporal Lobes & Networks

Temporal-Lobe Anatomy

• temporal lobe includes the neocortex, limbic cortex, & olfactory cortex

• internal/subcortical (below cortex) temporal-lobe structures: amygdala & hippocampus

  • within white matter of the temporal lobe

• connected to other regions of the brain

• contains area TE

• contains 3 main gyri:

1. Superior temporal gyrus

2. Middle temporal gyrus

3. Inferior Temporal gyrus

Temporal Cortex Subdivisions

lateral (outer) surface: auditory areas (superior temporal gyrus) & areas associated with ventral visual stream (inferior temporal gyrus)

medial surface: contains olfactory (pyriform) cortex

Temporal-parietal Junction = involved in attention, emery & decision making in a social context

Deep sulci increase the surface area of the temporal lobe:

• Insula (deep within the Sylvia/lateral fissure): includes the gustatory cortex (taste)

  • THUS, the temporal lobe is involved in taste

• superior temporal sulcus: contains multimodal association areas

Connections of the Temporal Cortex

→ Sensory systems project To the temporal lobe

→ Temporal lobe OUTPUT goes to the frontal (prefrontal cortex) & parietal (assoc. areas) lobes + the limbic system & basal ganglia

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