Ventral Language Stream

1. What is the function of the Ventral Language Stream (VLS)?

LSP → M for LC

Connects auditory and phonological processing regions that support semantic comprehension.

Links sound processing to meaning for language comprehension

2. What cortical areas are part of the VLS? S/MTG, I/FG, ATL, IFG

Superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, inferior and fusiform gyri, anterior temporal lobe, and inferior frontal gyrus (areas 45, 47).

3. What is the function of the Superior Temporal Gyrus (STG; 22, 21)?

Analyzes complex speech sounds and transforms phonology into word forms.

Processes speech sounds into word forms

4. What happens with damage to the Superior Temporal Gyrus?

Impaired word recognition, pure word deafness (if bilateral), and Wernicke’s aphasia.

5. What is the function of the Middle Temporal Gyrus (MTG; 21)?

Maps words to meaning (lexico-semantic processing) and supports sentence-level comprehension.

Maps words to meaning for sentence comprehension

6. What happens with damage to the Middle Temporal Gyrus?

Semantic paraphasia, anomia, and reduced comprehension.

Causes anomia, semantic paraphasias, and poor comprehension.

7. What is the function of the Inferior Temporal and Fusiform Gyri (20, 37)? VA RN

Integrate auditory and visual word forms; support reading and naming.

Integrate visual and auditory word forms for reading and naming.

8. What happens with damage to the Inferior Temporal and Fusiform Gyri? AVADLW

Alexia, visual anomia, and difficulty linking words to objects.

9. What is the function of the Anterior Temporal Lobe (ATL; 38)?

Acts as an amodal semantic hub for conceptual integration.

Serves as a semantic hub integrating concepts and meanings.

10. What happens with damage to the Anterior Temporal Lobe?

Semantic dementia.

11. What is the function of the Inferior Frontal Gyrus (IFG; 45, 47)?

Pars Triangularis (45) and Pars Orbitalis (47) handle semantic selection and syntactic integration.

Selects word meanings and integrates syntax during language production

12. What happens with damage to the Inferior Frontal Gyrus?

Difficulty choosing among meanings and mild comprehension deficits.

Leads to mild comprehension deficits and trouble selecting correct meanings.

13. What is the VLS pathway? S/MTG → ATL → IFG

From the Superior and Middle Temporal Gyri to the Anterior Temporal Lobe, then to the Inferior Frontal Gyrus (45, 47).

14. What are the main white matter fiber tracts in the VLS? UF IFOF EC

Uncinate fasciculus, Inferior Fronto-Occipital Fasciculus (IFOF), and extreme capsule.

15. What does the Uncinate Fasciculus connect? ATL → IFG

Connects the anterior temporal lobe to the inferior frontal gyrus.

16. What does the Inferior Fronto-Occipital Fasciculus (IFOF) connect?

IFOF → O/T Regions → FC

Connects occipital and temporal regions to the frontal cortex.

17. What does the Extreme Capsule connect?

EC → M/PTL → FC

Connects the mid-posterior temporal lobe to the frontal cortex.