How the Brain Works The Facts Visually Explained by DK (z-lib.org)

COMMUNICATION

The Language Areas 126 127

Aphasia

Aphasia is a medical condition

in which people are unable to

comprehend or produce language,

read, or write due to damage

caused to the brain—for example,

as the result of a trauma, stroke,

or tumor. The condition can be

relatively mild or severe. There are

many types of aphasia (for some

examples, see table below). Some

are named after the brain area

that is affected or the type of

speech produced. However,

aphasia can affect language,

reading, and writing in many

different ways, and some of these

difficulties may not fit into one

specific type or category.

BROCA’S

AREA

TYPE SYMPTOMS

TYPES OF APHASIA

The most severe form of aphasia,

causing general deficits in

comprehension, understanding,

and production of language.

Speech production is affected

and can be reduced to just a few

words, which may be halting or

“nonfluent” in their nature.

An inability to understand the

meaning of words. Speech

production is unaffected, but

irrelevant words may be used,

forming nonsensical phrases.

Difficulty finding words during

speaking or writing. This can

lead to vague language, causing

significant frustration.

Language capabilities become

slowly, progressively impaired.

This form can be caused by

diseases such as dementia.

A rare form of aphasia that

causes difficulty repeating

phrases, particularly if phrases or

sentences are long and complex.

Global

Broca’s

Wernicke’s

Anomic

Primary

progressive

Conduction

Supramarginal

gyrus

Although it is not considered

one of the main language areas,

the supramarginal gyrus

works with the angular gyrus

to perceive and process

language in order to give

M words their meaning.

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AUD

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X

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Auditory cortex

The auditory cortex is part of

the temporal lobe at the side of

the brain. This area processes

auditory information in humans

and other vertebrates to enable

information to be heard. The auditory

cortex is divided into sections (see

p.76), which allows humans

to hear complex sounds,

such as words in

a conversation.

Angular gyrus

The angular gyrus is associated

with complex language.

It coordinates auditory, sensual,

and visual information to help

us understand words and concepts.

The angular gyrus allows the

association of particular words

with different images, ideas,

or sensations.

THERE ARE AROUND

6,500 DIFFERENT

LANGUAGES SPOKEN

AROUND THE WORLD

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