Primary auditory cortex
Primary Auditory Cortex
The Primary Auditory Cortex (PAC), pronounced as /ˈpraɪməri ˈɔːdɪtɔːri ˈkɔːrtɛks/, is the region of the brain that is responsible for processing auditory information. It is located in the superior temporal gyrus in the dominant cerebral hemisphere, which is the left hemisphere in about 97% of right-handed individuals and 70% of left-handed individuals.
Etymology
The term "Primary Auditory Cortex" is derived from the Latin words 'primus' meaning 'first', 'audire' meaning 'to hear', and 'cortex' meaning 'bark or shell'. This term was first used in the early 20th century to describe the area of the brain primarily responsible for initial processing of auditory information.
Function
The Primary Auditory Cortex is involved in several aspects of hearing including the perception of pitch, loudness, location, and the identification of complex sounds such as speech and music. It receives auditory input directly from the Medial Geniculate Nucleus of the Thalamus.
Related Terms
- Auditory System: The sensory system for the sense of hearing. It includes both the sensory organs (the ears) and the auditory parts of the sensory system.
- Superior Temporal Gyrus: The part of the brain where the primary auditory cortex is located.
- Medial Geniculate Nucleus: Part of the auditory thalamus and represents the thalamic relay between the inferior colliculus and the auditory cortex.
- Thalamus: The large mass of gray matter in the diencephalon of the brain with several functions such as relaying of sensory signals, including motor signals to the cerebral cortex, and the regulation of consciousness, sleep, and alertness.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Primary auditory cortex
- Wikipedia's article - Primary auditory cortex
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