Neurological Bases of Speech and Language

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on the neurological bases of speech and language.

Neuroscience

The study of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology.

Neurophysiology

Refers to how the brain functions.

Neuroanatomy

The study of the structures and locations of the nervous system.

Neuron

The basic unit of the nervous system.

Afferent nerves

Nerves that conduct messages toward the brain.

Efferent nerves

Nerves that conduct information away from the brain.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Composed of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

All neural tissue outside the CNS.

Cerebellum

Responsible for fine motor skills and language processing.

Thalamus

Relays incoming sensory information to the brain.

Cerebral hemispheres

Divided into left and right hemispheres, responsible for different functions.

Executive function

The ability to manage multiple cognitive tasks to achieve an objective.

Working memory

Critical for storage and manipulation of information.

Hemispheric asymmetry

The specialization of functions between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Myelination

The process of forming a myelin sheath around a nerve to allow faster transmission of impulses.

Wernicke’s area

Involved in language comprehension located in the left temporal lobe.

Broca’s area

Responsible for speech production located in the left frontal lobe.

Phonological short-term memory (PSTM)

Involved in word-learning and comprehension by matching sound to meaning.

Declarative memory (explicit memory)

Memory for facts and events.

Procedural memory (implicit memory)

Memory for skills and tasks.

Echolalia

Immediate imitation of another speaker's speech.

Jargon

String of unintelligible sounds with adult-like prosody and intonation.

Lateralization of function

The division of functions between the two hemispheres of the brain.

Motor cortex

Responsible for planning and executing voluntary movements.

Auditory processing

The ability to perceive and identify sounds.