In the field of neuroscience, the study of the areas of the brain specialized in language has been of particular interest due to the relevance that language has in human life. Language is a unique ability that distinguishes humans from other species, and understanding how it is processed and represented in the brain is essential to understand both the functioning of the brain in general and the possible language deficiencies that may arise in conditions pathological.
Areas of the brain related to language
Language processing in the brain involves multiple specialized areas that work together to enable the production and understanding of speech, reading and writing. These areas of the brain are distributed in both hemispheres and form a complex network of connections that facilitate verbal and written communication.
Broca's Area
One of the best known and studied areas in Related to language is Broca's area, located in the left hemisphere of the brain in most people. Broca's area is mainly involved in the production of speech and the coordination of the movements necessary to articulate words.
Wernicke's area
Another region essential for language processing It is Wernicke's area, located in the left temporal lobe. Unlike Broca's area, Wernicke's area is primarily responsible for understanding spoken and written language. Lesions in Wernicke's area can cause difficulties in understanding the meaning of words and constructing coherent sentences.
Posterior temporal association area
In addition to Broca's and Wernicke's areas, The posterior temporal association area also plays an important role in language processing. This area is located in the temporal lobe and is involved in the integration of auditory and visual information related to language, allowing the understanding of metaphors, the interpretation of gestures, and the association of words with non-literal meanings.
Frontal association area
On the other hand, the frontal association area, located in the frontal lobe of the brain, plays a crucial role in the planning and execution of language production. This area is responsible for organizing ideas and selecting the appropriate words to express thoughts and emotions coherently.
Connections between the areas of the brain specialized in language
Although these areas of the brain are specialized in specific functions related to language, it is important to keep in mind that they work in an integrated manner and communicate with each other through neural connections. The brain's ability to coordinate these areas and their interaction is what allows fluency in verbal and written communication.
Lichtheim Circuit
The neuroscientist Theodor Hermann Meynert proposed in the century XIX the concept of the "Lichtheim circuit", which describes the functional connections between Broca's and Wernicke's areas through the arcuate association fibers. According to this model, information is transmitted from Wernicke's area to Broca's area for speech production, and vice versa for language comprehension.
Connections with other brain areas
In addition to direct connections between brain areas specialized in language, there are also connections with other brain regions that contribute to linguistic processing. For example, the parietal lobe plays an important role in the integration of sensory and motor information related to language, while the occipital lobe is involved in the interpretation of written words and the visual perception of letters and words.
Specific functions of the brain areas involved in language
Each of the brain areas specialized in language performs specific functions that are essential for verbal and written communication. Below are some of the most relevant functions of these brain regions:
Broca's Area
The main function of Broca's area is the production of speech. This region of the brain is involved in planning the motor movements necessary to articulate sounds and words. Lesions in Broca's area can cause difficulties in speech production, such as agrammatism and difficulty pronouncing words.
Wernicke's area
On the other hand, Broca's area Wernicke is primarily responsible for understanding spoken and written language. Lesions in this region can cause Wernicke's aphasia, a condition in which the person has difficulty understanding the meaning of words and constructing coherent sentences, despite retaining the ability to produce words fluently.
Posterior temporal association area
The posterior temporal association area is crucial for the integration of auditory and visual information related to language. This region allows the understanding of metaphors, the interpretation of gestures and the association of words with non-literal meanings. Lesions in this area can affect the understanding of complex language and the ability to interpret the context in which words are used.
Frontal association area
Finally, the frontal association area Frontal association is involved in the planning and execution of language production. This region of the brain helps organize ideas, select the right words, and control the sequence and flow of speech. Lesions in the frontal association area can cause difficulties in verbal expression, such as perseveration and lack of inhibition in the emission of words.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the areas Brain cells specialized in language are essential for verbal and written communication in humans. The interaction between these brain regions and their connection with other areas of the brain allow us to process and understand language efficiently. The study of these areas and their specific functions is crucial to understanding the neurobiological bases of language and to addressing language disorders that can arise from brain injuries or neurological disorders.