Language and lateralization

Question 1

what is aphasia?

Answer 1

loss of ability to produce or comprehend language for reasons based on damage to the brain

Question 2

what is laryngitis?

Answer 2

inflammation of the vocal cords (another way to have difficulty speaking)

Question 3

what is dysarthria?

Answer 3

paralysis or incoordination of the muscles needed to physically produce the sounds needed for language (another way to have difficulty speaking)

Question 4

where is broca’s area?

Answer 4

lateral frontal cortex (left hemisphere)

Question 5

where is wernicke’s area?

Answer 5

superior lateral temporal region (left hemisphere)

Question 6

what are the regions specifically involved in language function?

Answer 6

left superior frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, left middle gyrus, left angular gyrus, left anterior temporal lobe and left posterior temporal lobe

Question 7

what region of the brain is assoicated with nouns?

Answer 7

inferior temporal lobe

Question 8

what region is associated with verbs?

Answer 8

parietal lobe

Question 9

what artery provides the brain blood supply to the brain?

Answer 9

middle cerebral artery

Question 10

what are the pathways for language if the stimulus is sound?

Answer 10

auditory cortex –> wernicke’s area –> arcuate fasciulus –> broca’s area premotor + primary motor cortex

Question 11

what are the pathways for language if the stimulus is visual?

Answer 11

optic nerve –> LGN –> visual cortex (V1, V2, V4) –> angular gyrus –> wernickes area –> arcuate fasciculus –> broca’s area –> primary motor cortex

Question 12

what happens if the angular gyrus is damaged?

Answer 12

won’t be able to read or understand language (alaxia)

“word blindness”

Question 13

what happens if the arcuate fasciculus is damaged?

Answer 13

won’t be able to repeat or mime language/movement (apraxia)

Question 14

what is the component thought behind spontaneous and therapeutic recovery after a stroke aphasia?

Answer 14

neuronal plasticity; different networks that can compensate for the damage and perform similar cognitive functions

Question 15

what is dyslexia?

Answer 15

Flipping word or letter, not being able to remember what was just read or being able to rewrite or repeat what was said

Question 16

How is the brain affected when someone has dyslexia?

Answer 16

broca’s area and planum temorporal (wernicke’s area) are symmetrical and there will be more activity in the anterior region

• normally they are left lateralized (broca) or the left side if bigger (planum)
• normally more activity posteriorly

Question 17

How is language lateralization tested?

Answer 17

• sodium amobarbital is injected into either the left or right internal carotid artery
• patients are asked to read something
• if they can’t receive or produce language then they are going to be lateralized on the injected side.

only side of injection is affected

Question 18

What are the characteristics of split-brain patients?

Answer 18

• Results in being able to comprehend and do two different things at the same time (ex: draw different shapes with each hand)
• Unable to say the words seen and words are processed on the opposite side of the brain than side that it was seen

Question 19

What is the auditory pathway in the ear?

Answer 19

cohlea –> cochlear nucleus –> superior olivary nucleus –> switch! –> inferior coliculus –> medial geniculate nucleus –> auditory cortex

switch! = information/signal getting cross to the other side of the brain
also don’t get it twisted; medial (music), lateral (light)