Broca's area
Broca's Area
Broca's area (/ˈbroʊkəz ˈɛəriə/) is a region in the frontal lobe of the dominant cerebral hemisphere (which is the left hemisphere in about 97% of right-handed individuals and 70% of left-handed individuals) of the brain with functions linked to speech production.
Etymology
The term "Broca's area" is named after the French physician, anatomist, and anthropologist Paul Broca, who discovered its function while studying the brains of aphasic patients in the 1860s.
Function
Broca's area is responsible for the production of language, or speech. It controls the facial neurons, as well as other neurons in the respiratory and larynx regions, which are necessary for speech production. It is also associated with the motor functions involved in speech production and the articulation of thoughts into words.
Related Terms
- Aphasia: A condition that robs you of the ability to communicate. It can affect your ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbal and written. Broca's aphasia is a type of aphasia characterized by partial loss of the ability to produce language spoken, manual, or written, although comprehension generally remains intact.
- Wernicke's area: This is another part of the brain involved in language comprehension. It is located in the superior temporal gyrus in the dominant cerebral hemisphere, which is the left hemisphere in about 95% of right-handed individuals and 70% of left-handed individuals.
- Frontal lobe: The largest of the four major lobes of the brain in mammals, and is located at the front of each hemisphere. It is responsible for many functions, including language.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Broca's area
- Wikipedia's article - Broca's area
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