Wernicke's Area

Definition

Wernicke's Area is a region in the brain that plays a key role in language comprehension. It's typically located in Brodmann area 22, which is found in superior temporal gyrus in dominant cerebral hemisphere, which is left hemisphere for about 95% population.

Related terms

Aphasia:

A condition affecting speech and language skills usually caused by damage to certain parts of brain including Wernicke’s area.

Brodmann Area 22: An area defined based on its cytoarchitectonic characteristics; it includes most areas associated with Wernicke’s area.

Temporal Lobe:

One of four major lobes of cerebral hemisphere; it houses auditory cortex and plays significant role in processing affect/emotions, language, certain aspects of visual perception.